A Benin High Court on Monday ordered the remand of two men in police custody over an alleged robbery incident in Edo State.

The defendants, Peter Venchang, 28, and Sani Atai, 40, were remanded following an ex parte application filed by police prosecutor, Emmanuel Ekibade.

Mr Ekibade urged the court to remand the suspects in the custody of the Edo State police command for 14 days.

He said the request was necessary to allow investigators to conclude enquiries into the allegations against the defendants.

According to the prosecutor, the suspects allegedly conspired to rob Anna Chang, a staff of Ansuda Logistics, on June 30, 2026.

He told the court that the incident occurred along the Benin-Abuja express road within the Benin judicial division.

Mr Ekibade alleged that the defendants stole a motor truck with registration number BEN 581 ZH and valuable glass containers.

“The value of the stolen items is yet to be ascertained,” the prosecutor told the court.

He said the two-count charge contravened Section 412(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo, 2022.

Mr Ekibade further stated that the alleged offence also contravened Section 6(b) of the relevant law. 

He added that it was punishable under Section 1(1)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecutor also cited Section 1(2)(a) of the same Act in support of the application.

Mr Ekibade argued that granting the request would not prejudice the rights or interests of the suspects.

“The suspects would not suffer any prejudice if the application is granted,” he submitted.

Presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, granted the application after considering the arguments presented before the court.

The judge subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in police custody pending further investigation.

Mr Azeigbemhin adjourned the matter until August 18, 2026, for further proceedings. 

(NAN)