Prove your royalty or go to jail, judge tells couple

A couple accused of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence were yesterday ordered to prove their claimed royalty or be remanded in prison. The couple, Prince Peter Eweka and his wife, Stella, were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Benin on a four-count charge. The accused persons were alleged to have collected the […]

A couple accused of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence were yesterday ordered to prove their claimed royalty or be remanded in prison.

The couple, Prince Peter Eweka and his wife, Stella, were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Benin on a four-count charge.

The accused persons were alleged to have collected the sum of N3m from Mrs. Juliet Aimienrovbiye by false pretence, stealing and converting the money for personal use.

They were also alleged to have converted another N200,000 for personal use.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the petitioner, F. B. Ojiezele, urged the court to commence trial immediately, but Counsel to the accused, Zion Agbon, objected to it on grounds that his clients had commenced out-of-court settlement of the matter.

He told the court that the accused persons had already made two payments and that the next date for another payment was slated for May 31.

Ojiezele urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody pending full payment and the determination of the substantive suit.

But counsel to the accused objected to it, saying it would impede his clients’ ability to make payment the following day.

Justice A. A. Demi-Ajayi, in determining the bail application, sought to know whether the  accused was of the royal family, as the name, Prince Eweka, rang a royal inclination.

Following Eweka’s affirmation of his royalty, the judge ordered the suspects to produce a member of the royal family before the end of the day’s sitting to identify them in the presence of the assistant registrar of the court and in company of both counsels.

Justice Demi-Ajayi ordered that failing to produce anybody, they would be remanded in prison till June 13, for commencement of trial.

The accused persons were yet to meet the bail condition as at the time of filling the report.