Douglas Ogbankwa, a former publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Thursday appeared in a Benin High Court for allegedly stealing a stabiliser.

Mr Ogbankwa is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, forcible entry, wilful damage, theft, forceful ejection and aiding and abetting forceful ejection.

The prosecution said Mr Ogbankwa and others,  at large, in January 2023, at 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin, within the judicial division, damaged door keys belonging to Sandra Palmer-Kelvin.

The prosecutor also alleged that Mr Ogbankwa stole one stabiliser belonging to Ms Palmer-Kelvin and also forcefully ejected her from her matrimonial home.

The offence is punishable under sections 412, 56(1), 353, 294(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State 2022 and section 14(3) of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Edo State 2021.

Earlier, When the case was mentioned, one counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Usoh, appealed to the court to give his client more time to resolve the issues.

The prosecution counsel, Orobosa Okunbor, however, did not oppose the application.

Justice Ede Ikponmwonba subsequently adjourned the case until July 6 for a settlement report. 

(NAN)