Drama As Court Sets Ayiri Free Of Theft After Ologbotsere Debacle

The  immediate past Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami has been discharged amid drama over the allegation of the theft of two Itsekiri crowns belonging to Warri Kingdom.

Following the death of the last monarch, the crown in the palace got missing leading to a complaint by Warri Council of Chiefs with Ayiri as the main suspect.

GWG.ng reports that Ayiri who as Ologbotsere had opposed the emergence of the then Prince Tsola Emiko as the new monarch despite the overwhelming endorsement of other Itsekiri chiefs.

Ayiri was on November 21, 2021 in Charge No: MW/175/C/2021 Commissioner of Police Vs. Ayirimi Emami charged over the theft of the two crowns worth an estimated N2 billion and said to belong to the Warri Kingdom.

However, following the recent reconciliation that saw the deposed Ologbotsere kneel before the Olu of Warri, the Warri Council of Chiefs applied to withdraw the charge.

J. Ikomi, Esq., leading the Prosecution team, Chief V.E Otomewo leading the Defence team.

At the hearing on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, J. Ikomi, Esq, who led the prosecution team informed the court that the Warri Council of Chiefs had applied to discontinue the charge as a result of the recent reconciliatory meetings and intervention of well-being Nigerians in the matter. J.Ikomi, Esq., therefore applied that the Defendant be discharged as required by the applicable laws but not acquitted.

Chief V.E Otomiewo, lawyer to Ayiri, however, opposed and urged the court to acquit the defendant to prevent a situation where he may be re-arraigned in the future.

The court considered the arguments of both Counsel and agreed with J. Ikomi, Esq., that the proper order to make in the circumstances is that for discharge and not acquittal. The Court therefore struck out the charge and discharged Ayiri over the case of the theft of the crowns.

GWG.ng reports that the drama over the missing crowns came days after Ayiri issued a statement saying that the beads and staff of the Ologbtosere ee submitted to the Olu of Warri at their meeting last weekend were fakes.

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