Posted by From TONY OSAUZO, Benin on
The official residence of the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Election Petition Appeal Tribunal, Justice Roland Amaize, was in the early hours of Tuesday razed down by unknown arsonists.
The official residence of the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Election Petition Appeal Tribunal, Justice Roland Amaize, was in the early hours of Tuesday razed down by unknown arsonists.
No life was, however, lost in the inferno that reportedly started at about 2.00 a.m., at the home, No. 6, Delta Crescent, Benin, as the judge and his family members escaped unhurt.
Since the Local Government Election Petition Appeal Tribunal delivered judgments annulling the elections of three local government council chairmen in August, the political atmosphere in the state has remained charged.
Consequently, Justice Amaize and the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen had engaged themselves in accusations and counter accusations of threat to each other's life.
Commenting on the incident, Edo State Command Police Spokesman, Mr. Peter Ogboi said the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, who was on annual leave had to interrupt his vacation to lead to top police officers to Justice Amaize's residence to have first hand information.
He said the police was already investigating a case of arson, adding that an investigation team of men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Anti-Bomb Disposal Units had been drafted to the scene of the incident.
Mr. Ogboi explained that there were insinuations that explosives could have been used, but quickly cautioned that only "investigation will assist the police to form an opinion" on the cause of the fire. "We drafted the anti-bomb disposal unit there to work with the CID. They will look at the impact of the fire to assist the CID reach a conclusion," the Edo State Police Command spokesman said.
At the time Daily Sun visited Justice Amaize's residence, he was said to have gone out. His son declined to talk to the reporter.
Meanwhile, Governor Oserheimen Osunbor has expressed shock and sadness over the fire incident.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa, the governor sympathized with Justice Amaize's family over the incident, but, however, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost in the inferno.
"In the meantime, Governor Oserheimen Osunbor has directed the State Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation to unravel the cause of the fire," the statement said.