Federal High Court Adjourns Case of Aiding Suicide

By Osariemen Idiaghe

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned the case of ‘aiding suicide’ of Mrs. Lilian Omokhuale, daughter of Mr. Omoruyi Oloton, Managing Director of Uyi Technical Company Limited to July 22, 2024.

The case of alleged ‘aiding suicide’ of Mrs Omokhuale was preferred against six persons in Benin.

The six accused persons are Jessica Iguodala- Oghomwen, Akpes Omorodion, Chukwudi Akpotowho, Joy Noren, Vincent Uhunmwangho and Blessing Jatto.

In the resumed hearing of the case with suit No. FHC/B/5C/2024, the Presiding Judge, Justice S. M. Shuaibu, said the adjournment was to enable the prosecutor, P. O. Odion take steps to properly serve all the defendants the proof of evidence and charge sheet.

Counsel to Joy Noren, the 4th defendant, Charles Edosomwan( SAN) had told the court that his client was not served the charge sheet and the accompanying proof of evidence.

Quoting Section 382 (4,5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, he said that criminal summons ought to be served personally on defendant and where this is not possible or impracticable, the court may order that the counsel be served.

This position was adopted by O.I Asenoguan counsel to Blessing Jatto and Jessica Iguodala-Oghomwen the 6th and 1st defendant respectively.
Mr O. I. Asenoguan also told the court that the 1st defendant was not served as well.

Subsequently, the Justice Shuaibu adjourned the case to July 22, 2024 for further hearing .

The six defendants were also charged for money laundering, concealment of source of funds and operating specialized banking without valid licence.

The offences contravened the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act 2004 and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.

It would be recalled that the 40-year old Lilian Omokhuale on October 7, 2022 allegedly committed suicide in her GRA residence in Benin City.

The Situation prompted the police to commence investigation into the incident.

The investigation revealed that the 6 defendants were alleged to have aided her suicide and they were consequently held by the police and subsequently charge to court.