Statement By Douglas Ogbankwa Esq on the Trumped Up Charges Against Him By the Edo State Government
1. In all My Life as a Young Man I have lived a life of proprietary and Legality. I do not have any criminal records or any kind of issue whatsoever, this is despite the fact that I have travelled to almost all the States in Nigeria.
2. I have served the Nigerian Bar and even the State Meritoriously.Indeed , the Edo State Criminal Code that I am being attempted to be Charged Under , I am one of those who wrote it as a Member of the Committee set up By the Edo State Government to write it .In the Committee I distinguished myself contributing my quota as the most visible member of the Committee, this is despite the fact that the same Edo State Government failed , refused and or neglected to.pay us for a job done till today.
3.Edo State Government should stop harassing me .Governor Godwin.Obaseki and I ,are not contending over any thing as my name is not on the Ballot for the Edo 2024 Governorship Elections .The filing of Charge against me trivialises the essence of a charge being preferred against a person.It is not a crime to practice Law in Nigeria and the Edo State Government has set a new record forbcharging a Lawyer to Court for discharge of its legitimate duties to his client. The Nigerian Bar Association should now show whether it works for its Members or for Government Interest .Today it is me , tomorrow we do not know who will be next.
4.I was briefed by My Client-Kelvin Uyi Maryins to do a Matter against one Sandra Palmer Agho .Before then I have never met her in my life .She says her name is “Sandra Palmer Martins’, but I dare her to bring any official record that bears that name .The first lie in this matter is her name .Her name is Sandra Palmer Agho and by the way ,Agho in the name is Agho Obaseki .So you do the maths.
5 As a Lawyer I did a Petition to the Area Commander Benin Metro Benin City and she was invited to the Office on Sapele Road Benin City on the 7th of January, 2023.While Interview of Parties was going On , I was assaulted by Sandra Palmer Agho in front of the Area Commander, ACP Angela Akaro and IPO Inspector Igene .There is a case file on this matter before the Edo State Police Command Headquarters. My medical report is there ,my torn Chelsea T-shirt and Statement indicating her from the IPO who witness .Sandra and her sponsors got an Injunction from an Edo State High Court to stop her prosecution and now I that I acted only as a Lawyer only is about to be arrainged in Court What a Country!Is there still Law in Nigeria or we being rail roaded by the Laws of Men?
6 Collins Benson Ogiebaen was one of those I called to witness the the sacrilege of Sandra Palmer Agho assaulting me in front of the Area Commander, Benin Metro , he came and immediately switched allegiance to Sandra begging for her till evening and being my chairman as I was his Publicity Secretary when we both served at the Exco of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch (2018 to 2020), I showed him respect and begged the Area Comnander to release her .
7.By the next Monday , 8th January, 2023 Collins Benson Ogiebaen has written a Petition against my Client -Kelvin Uyi Maryins to NAPTIP , Benin Zonal Office , Which is a gross professional misconduct.By the next day , he has asked his associate to do a Petition against me and the Area Commander to the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City .
8 On the 12th of January, 2023, Sandra Palmer Agho wrote her Statement at the Anti Vice Section of the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City .That same 12th of January, 2023 is the same date that Sandra Palmer Agho alleged that I led Gun men to my client’s House and by the way she forgot that she indicated her her address when she was being granted bail at the Area Commander, Benin Metro as “,2nd Ufuwengbe , off Usama ,Off Erhunwense Road,Ekenwan Road ,Benin City , when she was being granted bail. She did not write on that same 12th of January that she wrote her statement that I led gun men to my client’s house .My Client was never spoken to by the Police at AIG, even when I gave them their number. A marriage is an event between two people .You can not determine marriage except you hear from the other party is available to either Confirm or deny the false claim of marriage.
9.On saturday , the 14th of January, 2023 at about ,6pm Nigerian time I received a call from Collins Benson Ogiebaen where for the very first time he alleged that I led some gun me to My Client’s house at No 27, Roland Obanor Street, Benin City. I I formed him that he knows that Sandra Palmer Agho does not live there and that that Saturday, 14th of January, I did not attend the wedding of My Assciate -Gabriel Ehigiator , because I was cut by ceiling fan and I was bleeding profusely, as I had just left Jonos Medical Centre, Second East Circular Road ,Benin ,where I received treatment, including a mild surgery.
10.That on the 16th of January, 2023 , Sandra Palmer Agho being tailored by some Police Men , Lawyers, Journalists and Politicians went to make additional statements at the Anti Vice Section of the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters , Benin City , (5 days after ) that I came to my client’s house at No 27,Roland Obanor Street ,Benin City with gun men .
11.A few days later she wss at the NUJ Press Centre where she made the false allegations public for the first time .Sandra Palmer Agho lied that she is Married to My Client Kelvin Uyi Martins and that her name is now Sandra Palmer Martins , no affidavit of change of name ,no marriage certificate, no pictures of her or my client in a marriage, no picture of any my client’s family members ,just her false accusations and you know what ?,Some Jornalists joined her team of precessional propagandist and indeed , the journalists who are my friends were seen on a daily bases with Sandra Palmer Agho running a round town.
12.I was invited to the AIG Zone 5 , three tines and I went made my statements, the OC of the Anti Vehicle Theft Section ,SP Kpomwonsa was acting like a Party in the matter and was very unprofessional. I asked for a transfer of the matter within the AIG and the matter was transferred to SP Solomon, the OC Anti Robbery, Zone 5 Headquarters Benin City who investigated found the truth of the matter and recommended that Samdra Palmer Agho should be charged for false information .His Investigation Report was pulled out of the case file that was sent to the DPP for advice .That at the AIG it was SP Solomon that took statement from Sandra Palmer Agho for the first time under caution That Statement is not in the case file that was sent to the DPP.
13.Both the DC Zonal CID ,DC George Obiozor and the OC of the Anti Robbery, Section SP Solomon ,were both transfered to Calabar and a new DC, DC Odegbula Adebola and OC Anti Robbery, SP Franklin Anioke were both brought in.
14.Both DC Adebola and SP Anioke never investigated this matter and I never met any of them None of them took statements from me or my witness and tgere was never an interview conducted.But Sandra Palmer Agho was frequently in their offices with the persons who were directing the case from outside .They both wrote a false report in matter neither of them investigated. Put Statements of persons in the case file I have never met in my life and believe of some persons who do not even exist and both recommended that I should be Charged for breaking and entry. Just one Charge .I brought the father of My Client-Kelvin Uyi Martins and his relative-Friday Osarewinda to the AIG, who indeed was the caretaker of the house before it was sold by my client,but they refused to take Statements from them , knowing that if they did so , it will affect the outcome of their conspiracy theory. Sandra Palmer Agho through insiders in my office stole the documents of sale and forwarded same to my client ‘s friend-Raphael ,who forwarded same to my client, who forwarded same to me .My client had mo seen the final version and checked my drawer in the office the document was there .I sacked 5 staff in one day over this issue. I am even Lucky to be alive .These are people that buy me food.
15.They pushed the matter to the DPP and I met them there .I wrote and submitted over 100 pages of evidence to the DPP and same was acknowledged. The procedure is those evidence are to be considered as part of the evidence in the matter , the DPP removed my evidence and worked from the answers to the question. He then increased the Charge to 5 with no evidence. So I learn a new thing that a person can steal a thing that is non existent .No receipt was provided by Sandra Palmer Agho that she owns any stabiliser, so just saying it making it true .This is a test case for Nigerians to beam a searchlight on the activities of the DPP all across Nigeria. Enough is enough. All the innocent people wallowing in jail over trump up Charges ,their spirits cry out for justice .The DPP Report should no longer get be final as the Department in sone States are being run as a cartel. This case will be the final.nail in the coffins of the merchants of justice/injustice .I am innocent .This is why many people recommend we should be doing oaths to deities, that have consequences and not the bible .I speak from.my heart and I say that Judtice will be served in thus matter .The Police which I have been a partner in many levels should redeem its name This is a very wrong narrative of a country where anything goes .I am here because I am on a mission , not for myself , but for people who are oppressed.
16 There are thousands of people who are innocent people in this country, but are wallowing in prison .This is not a new pattern , but it will be last. I do not mind if I go to United Nations , but every one involved in this cartel, no matter how highly placed will be brought to book
17 .I have known of the involvement of the Edo State Government right from the beginning of this matter. I know where and how the Meetings took place .
18 The Edo State Government first started their ploy to attempt to destroy me in being part of the cartel that spread the false narrative that I am not a Lawyer .The Attorney-General General of the State -Oluwole Iyanu and a Lawyer to the PDP in Edo State-Razaq Isenalumhe , who is a former Chairman of the NBA Benin Branch , went all the way to the Supreme Court to go and cook up a story that I am.not called to the Nigerian Bar.
19 The Attorney-General General of the State caused my arrest by the then Edo State Commissioner of Police and because of this my wife and I missed our Air Peace flight to Lagos on the weekend of our wedding anniversary .My wife had to ask us to flee our residence that night and we fled to Protea Hotel ,GRA, Benin City , for fear of our lives from where I got security to escort us to the Airport.
20 Recently, Governor Godwin Obaseki has refused to swear in the 8 Judges recommended by the National Judicial Council in Edo State .I have been in the forefront for their swearing in.I have issued statements and even written a letter to the National Judicial Council. That has been an albatross to the Governor Godwin Obaseki Administration. This Trump up Charge is one of the Plans that they have to break my spirit.They have other plans lined up.As I speak to you My Life is under threat . I have a message for the Governor. I can not be Cowed and I will not be deterred .I will continue to fight for justice ,even if you brought a 100 Count Charge against me .
21.A Politician and Hotelier has also been a financier of the girl.He boasted to me and my client-Kelvin Uyi Margins on a call that he has so much money and connections and that he knows how to use it .His grouse is that I acted for my friend and client-Hon Valentine Asuen (DVD Oil ) during the Elections into the Senate in Edo State in 2023.
22.This girl is a just a pawn in the hands of very powerful forces. My problem is from among my friends in the legal profession.One of them was seen in Court yesterday to monitor the matter .This is some one I have left my drink to go and pee and came back to drink it.Before you can count your friends identity your enemies .
We are on a long drawn legal battle that will change the face of things legally in this country. People make sacrifices to make a change .I see this Trump Up Charge as a Sacrifice.
Change is a Challenge to the adventurous and a threat to the obscure insecure
We must set forth at dawn.
