Three siblings in Court over alleged conspiracy, false testimony case in Edo

Three siblings, including two legal practitioners, have been arraigned before an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City over allegations bordering on conspiracy, perjury, defamation, and giving false information under oath.

The defendants — Samuel Obasuyi, Godwin Obasuyi, A.O. Obasuyi, and a company, Sons Sawmill Limited — were brought before the court by the police on a four-count charge in Suit No. B/CD/210C/2025.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly conspired between 2015 and 2018 to make false claims and defamatory allegations against a senior lawyer, Barrister Dele Edokpayi, leading to his arrest and subsequent police investigation.

Prosecuting counsel, R.F. Dimka, told the court that the defendants knowingly made false accusations despite being aware of the innocence of the legal practitioner they accused.

He further alleged that the false information submitted by the defendants triggered police action against Edokpayi and formed the basis of an extended investigation into claims of conspiracy and document forgery.

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The charge sheet also accused the defendants of conspiring to forge title documents connected to the dispute, with offences said to be punishable under sections 412, 375, 101, 102(B), and 93 of the Criminal Code of Edo State.

When the charges were read in court, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Counsel to the defendants, G.E. Oaikhena, alongside three other lawyers, applied for bail, urging the court to release the accused persons on liberal terms. He argued that two of the defendants are legal practitioners who had already been granted administrative bail by the police and would be available for trial.

The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, leaving the decision to the discretion of the court.

Ruling on the application, presiding judge, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that each surety must be gainfully employed, submit an affidavit of means, and provide two recent passport photographs as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to July 1, 2026, for hearing.