2 robbery suspects freed after 7 years, waiting for justice

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JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin

Two suspected armed robbers, Micheal Igbinosun and Esther Iyekekpolor, held in prison custody for seven years while awaiting trial were Tuesday discharged by a Benin High Court.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested and charged with armed robbery, but the inability of the Nigeria Police Force to prosecute the them ensured that they were left to rot in prison custody for the past seven years.

According to available Court records, the suspects were arrested in April 2005 and arraigned in Court in 2006 and since then have been in prison custody until now.

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When their case was eventually mentioned for hearing on Tuesday, their Counsel, Barr. Eddy Inenevwo of the Legal Aids Council, urged the Court to strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution by the Police.

Barr. Inenevwo who argued that since their first arraignment in 2006, the police had failed to call any witness or even showed any interest in the case, added that holding the suspects in custody continuously therefore was a travesty of justice.

In his judgment, Justice Oyomire said he was in total agreement with the view of the defence Counsel. He thereafter discharged the suspects.

The suspects, Michael and Esther who were too weak and sick to respond to questions, were later taken away by their relatives.

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