Aghogho, who has been detained since June 2022, accused the prosecuting lawyer of deliberately frustrating the case to delay his release from prison.
J.A. Amahi Esq, a Delta State government lawyer, has been accused of purposefully preventing the release of Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, a human rights activist and Delta State Chapter Coordinator of the human rights organisation, Take It Back Movement.
Aghogho, who has been detained since June 2022, accused the prosecuting lawyer of deliberately frustrating the case to delay his release from prison.
The activist had been at loggerheads with the police in the state after he protested against the lack of police vehicles for an investigation involving child trafficking.
He specifically accused the Assistant Inspector General, Zone 5 Benin, Lawan Tanko Jimeta of compromising an ongoing child trafficking investigation involving state government officials, police officers, and a retired chief judge among others.
In a petition to the then-Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman, the activist alleged that Jimeta had tried everything possible to frustrate investigations into the case, urging the IGP to caution the AIG “if he the IGP is not part of the deal as officers in the zone boast about".
SaharaReporters learnt that at the commencement of the hearing on Wednesday, J.A. Amahi requested another adjournment for him to be fully prepared.
"My Lord, I am not ready to go on as I am sick. I will need a short date to respond to the processes filed by the Defendant; at least a day will be enough,” the prosecuting lawyer told the court when the case was mentioned.
But Aghogho, who appeared in person quickly challenged the position of the prosecuting lawyer, accusing him of deliberately trying to frustrate his “release from prison custody”.
“My Lord, I am vehemently opposing the oral application of the prosecutor as his aim is to frustrate my release from prison custody.
“I have been in prison custody for almost two years now and the prosecutor is not helping matters," Aghogho told Justice M.I Sani.
The trial court judge subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday for the continuation of hearing.
The court ruled: “I have carefully listened to the Prosecutor and the Defendant, this case is hereby adjourned to 1st February, 2024 to enable the Prosecutor file his processes and respond to the processes filed by the Defendant.”
“The Prosecutor is asking for this request for the first time from me,” the judge added.