The Delta State Police Command has arraigned Chief Ayirimi Emami before a magistrate court sitting in Warri over the alleged invasion of the Palace of the Olu of Warri.
The dethroned Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom was accused of allegedly stealing two royal crowns valued at N2bn.
In the case with reference No: CR630/2021, the embattled billionaire businessman was slammed with three counts of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The charges read in part, “That you Chief Ayirimi Emami “M” and others now at large on March 30, 2021, at about 11:30 pm (2330hrs) at Olu Palace, Warri in the Warri Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony such as burglary and stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State 2006.
“That you Chief Ayirimi Emami “m” and others now at large on March 30, 2021, at about 11:30 pm (2330hrs) at Olu Palace, Warri in the Warri Magisterial District with intent to commit a felony broke into a dwelling house of the Olu of Warri and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol.1 Laws of Delta State 2006.
“That you Chief Ayirimi Emami “m” and others now at large on the March 30 at about 11:30 pm (2330hrs) at Olu Palace Warri in the Warri Magisterial District did steal two crowns value two billion naira (N2,000,000,000.00) property of Itseliri Kingdom and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol.1 laws of Delta State 2006.”
Emami, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him.
The lead counsel for the accused, Emmanuel Uti, urged the court to grant his client bail over his willingness to appear in court any time he was called upon to do so.
SP Sunday Irabor, the Police prosecutor, prayed the court to offer stringent bail conditions and reliable sureties.
After listening to both parties, Presiding Judge Diejomaoh granted the accused bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties.
“The sureties must be at Grade Level 15 in the civil service; they must provide their passports and body photographs as well as national means of identification,” the chief magistrate ruled.
The case was further adjourned till January 19, 2022, for further hearing.
