The 10 youths allegedly accused of throwing stones at the convoy of Governor Obaseki, recently at Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo state, have been charged for treason.
The 10 Esan youths who have been in detention since August 20, 2018 were slammed with five counts charge of possession of arms and treason.
The youths were earlier charged to the Magistrate Court 2 on the 27th of August 2018 where they were refused bail by the presiding Magistrate.
The case was then after adjourned to 3rd of September 2018, but was further adjourned to September 20, 2018 due to the absence of the Magistrate.
But on the new adjournment date, the 10 accused persons received the greatest shock and surprise of their lives when the state Attorney General brought a fresh five counts charge including possession of arms and treason against them.
Many alleged that the fresh charges were aimed at punishing the youths and keep them in continuous detention without bail.
According to Kingsly Ohens, the president of Esan Youths Movement, “this fresh charges could be the handiwork of some Esan leaders and government officials who are bent on silencing any opposition to the imposition of a partcular senatorial candidate of the ruling APC”.
He condemned the alleged complacent attitude of these Esan leaders to further aggravate the sufferings of the 10 Esan Youths.
In the words of Ohens, “This is absolute wickedness in the name of politics, we call on the good people of Edo state to condemn this action of the Edo state government, we call on all human rights organisations, civil rights activists, The national chairman of APC to intervene in this matter.
“In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot,” he added.
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