An Edo State High Court, Criminal Division has stopped an attempt by the Nigeria Police to withdraw criminal charges against the member-elect for Ovia North East I Constituency, Mr. Dunez Onaiwu Ugiagbe.
Mr. Ugiagbe is among the 14 members-elect that are yet to the inaugurated and have since relocated to Abuja.
Ugiagbe was earlier arraigned in absentia on six count charge bothering on forgery and impersonation.
He and others at large were said to have committed the offence around 2001.
Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele had at the last sitting issued a warrant of arrest against Ugiagbe.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Barr. B Omosun, a Superintendent of Police representing the CP Legal, Abuja told the court that the Police Act empowered the Police with investigation of Criminal cases.
Barr. Omosun sought to withdraw the charges already in Court to complete their investigation upon receiving a petition from the suspect.
But Solicitor General of the State, Barr. Oluwole Iyamu, urged the court to disregard the application saying it was a sad development that the Nigerian Police could reduce itself to the absurd level or wanting to deliberately truncate a case it is handling.
Iyamu said the state complied with section 216 of the criminal code to take over the case to ensure proper dispensation justice.
He urged the Judge to discountenance the appearance of the Barr. Omosun and subsequently strike out the motion.
Justice Ovbiagele ruled that the appearance of Barr. Omosun be voided and therefore struck out his motion.
The State Counsel then proceeded to amend the charges previously filed by the Nigerian Police though a motion filed on November 14, 2019.
Barr. Paul Osarenkhoe, Counsel to Dumez UGIAGBE objected to the amendment which was overruled by the Judge.
In his ruling Justice Ovbiagele ruled that the state counsel reserve the right to amend charges at any stage of the proceeding.
He also ruled that the Bench Warrant served on Dumez Ugiagbe still subsist.
The case was adjourned to December 17, 2019 for hearing.
