Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Police Command has arraigned three siblings, including two legal practitioners, before an Edo State High Court in Benin City over allegations of conspiracy, perjury, defamation and giving false information under oath. The defendants – Samuel Obasuyi, Godwin Obasuyi, and A.O. Obasuyi and Sons Sawmill Limited – were brought before the court on a four-count charge filed by the police in Suit No. B/CD/210C/2025.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons allegedly conspired among themselves between August 2015 and 2018 to commit acts of defamation and make false accusations. The prosecuting counsel, R.F. Dimka, told the court that the defendants conspired to have a senior lawyer, Barrister Dele Edokpayi, charged with offences relating to conspiracy and forgery of documents, despite allegedly knowing that Edokpayi was innocent of the claims. Dimka said the false information submitted by the defendants led to the arrest of Edokpayi by the police and subsequent investigation. The charge also stated that the defendants allegedly conspired to forge title documents linked to the dispute.
The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 412, 375, 101, 102(B), and 93 of the Criminal Code of Edo State. When the charges were read in court, all defendants pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the defendants, G.E. Oaikhena, alongside three other lawyers, applied for bail, urging the court to release the accused persons on liberal terms. Oaikhena argued that two of the defendants are legal practitioners who had already been granted administrative bail by the police and would be available for trial. The prosecuting counsel did not oppose the bail application but asked the court to exercise its discretion appropriately.
In her ruling, the presiding judge, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum. The court ordered that each surety must be gainfully employed, provide an affidavit of means, and submit two recent passport photographs as part of the bail conditions. The matter was adjourned until July 1, 2026, for hearing.
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