Court Remands, APC Chieftain, Odion Olaye, Oshiomhole's Ex-aide & Leader of BSM, Curtis Ugbo for treason, others

An Oredo Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City has remanded one Chief Odion Olaye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Mr Curtis Ugbo, aide to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state to Oko Prison Custody and leader of the Benin Solidarity Movement.

The duo were remanded on Friday after they were charged by the police for Treason, Civil disturbances and promoting inter tribal war.

According to the charge sheet, Curtis Ugbo, Odion Olaye and others at large committed an offense of felony against youths in Nigeria by instigating them for unwarranted protest.

Also, they were charged for organising a group of intellectuals some of who are foreigners to invade the NPDC office on Sapele road, government house complex and the state house of assembly with threats to use the militant wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement, BSM to invade some oil communities in Edo South.

Although they pleaded not guilty to the charges, they were however remanded in Oko prison custody by Magistrate P. E Iyama.

Though the case is viewed to be sensitive, Counsel to the accused, Barr Osa Uwagie who spoke with our Reporter assured that their bail application will soon be filed for the consideration of the court.

He noted that the if the Magistrate court lacks the jurisdiction to pass judgement on the case, the appellate court is always there to give hope to those oppressed in the society.

It would be recalled that the Benin Solidarity Movement, led by Curtis Ugbo and Chief Olaye had protested against plot by Ijaw and Iteskiri people to take over Gelegele Community in Ovia North East Local government area of Edo state.

They also stormed the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) and vowed to stop oil production in communities should they fail to employ a minimum of one thousand youths within two weeks. [see here]