Don't Turn My Court to a Market Place, Judge Slams Ogbankwa as Ex-Benin NBA Secretary, Again Demands Transfer of Theft Case

.        Ogbankwa

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The accused, former secretary of the Benin City, Edo State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa, had promptly jumped on his feet immediately after the registrar mentioned the case last Wednesday for hearing, angrily protesting the fresh charge on the ground that he had just been served the amended charge and so could not take his plea. 

Determined to call his bluff, the stage was, therefore set for a melodramatic war of words between the trio of Justice Williams Aziegbemhin of Benin High Court, Criminal Division two, Ogbankwa, who stood for himself and the state counsel, Mr. Orobosa.

Ogbankwa was docked over alleged conspiracy to commit a felony, forcible entry; wilful damage; theft of a stabiliser; aiding and abetting; and forceful ejection of the nominal complainant, Sandra Palmer-Kelvin from her matrimonial home in uptown Benin City, Edo State.

During the last hearing on March 4, 2025, the court had ordered the prosecuting state counsel to file an amended charge in the case involving the ex-Benin NBA scribe.

The ruling was in view of issues raised on whether or not, plea could be taken in the matter whereas, one of the charges was earlier struck out by the court and the prosecution was yet to serve him the amended charge.

Orobosa told the court at the resumed trial on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, that the amendment was based on the directive of the court which he (Ogbankwa) is already aware and that no new issue was introduced. 

However vigorously objecting, one could have heard a pin drop in the courtroom as Ogbankwa in a gravel voice, bellowed that he was no longer comfortable with the attitude of the trial judge, who he pointedly accused of addressing him rudely and crudely, insisting that in line with Section 36 (6) of the Constitution, he would not take his plea because he had only been served the notice that day, shortly before the commencement of court sitting.

Obviously irritated by his stern,  authoritarian and aggressive manners, Justice Aziegbemhin scolded the accused for trying to turn his court to a market place.

"Don't turn my court into a market place," he cautioned firmly.

The accused fired back in anger: "I ought to be given adequate time for the preparation of my defence. The sequence of events have shown that I'll not get a fair judgement in this court."

"So relying on Section 36 (6) of the Constitution, the court should graciously transfer this case to the Chief Judge. There is an institutional onslaught on me concerning this matter."

Peeved by what he described as Ogbankwa's temerity, Orobosa, who had been taciturn all the while finally cut in, saying that "the rudeness" of the former Benin NBA secretary was "very annoying, considering his position as a senior lawyer."

The state counsel told the court that Ogbankwa was once again at his old habit of shopping for courts and running away from justice over flimsy excuses and acting the victim in a desperate effort at frustrating the trial, lamenting that it was cause for serious concern that he was yet to take his plea in the case which started over a year ago.

Stung, the accused attempted to once again interject but Justice Aziegbemhin, who had obviously reached the limit of his endurance after severally warning Ogbankwa to properly conduct himself, was unequivocal. His words were loud and clear:

"If I don't ask you to talk, don't talk. Remember you're in the dock and not witness box. This is the last time."

Another move by Ogbankwa to interject for the umpteenth time, drew the ire of the visibly angry judge, who ordered his police orderly to take the ex-secretary's mobile phone away from his pocket over suspicion that he was recording proceedings, lashing:

"Your attitude is very reprehensible."

The presiding judge ruled that based on  Section 217 of the administration of criminal justice law, when a matter is brought before a court, it will be taken immediately and ruled that the defendant will be made to take his plea.

Ogbankwa's persistency paid off finally as Justice Aziegbemhin caved in, excused himself from the case and ordered that the case file be returned to the chief judge in criminal court one to assign the matter to another judge. 

No date has been fixed for the continuation of trial.