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An Edo-based lawyer, Douglas Ogbankwa has called on the Edo state Attorney General to recuse himself from the suit filed against him which bothers on conspiracy to commit a felony, citing concerns of political bias and prejudicial actions. Ogbankwa, while raising alarm claimed that the charges against him are trumped-up and orchestrated by the Edo State Government.
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The lawyer highlighted a series of irregularities, alleging that the charges against him were leaked to the media before being formally served, indicating a coordinated effort to tarnish his reputation.
He said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and other officials of the Ministry of Justice were making prejudicial statements, signaling a predetermined stance on his guilt.
He said former Commissioner of Transport, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, published the charges in the Midwest Herald, further fueling concerns of political interference.
Ogbankwa asserts that the distribution of those materials across social media platforms, coupled with biased remarks from government officials, undermine his right to a fair trial.
He, therefore, called on the AG to hand over the case file to the police, while the DPP and all implicated government officials, recused themselves from the matter. He argued that their actions have left him without hope of a fair trial.
In the charge marked B/CD/60C/2024, the state accused the lawyer of conspiring, “to commit a felony punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022” and “forcible entry punishable under Section 56 (1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022”, among others.
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