A six-year legal battle reached its climax on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Edo State High Court, Benin, as Justice Efe Ikpomwonba delivered judgment in the high-profile murder and kidnapping trial of legal practitioner, Barr. Iyoha Osobase, who was allegedly murdered on May 9, 2020, in Aduwawa, Benin City.
In a well-considered and extensively researched judgment in Charge No. B/CD/136C/22 (The State v. Valentine Dibie & 5 Others), the second defendant, Solomon Esuike, was acquitted of all charges. He was represented by Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., who led the defence team alongside A.P. Uzor, Esq., and S.A. Idemudia, Esq.
Justice Ikpomwonba discharged and acquitted Esuike, bringing an end to six years of legal uncertainty for the defendant.
The remaining five co-defendants, however, were convicted and handed various sentences, including 14-year prison terms and the death penalty by hanging.
The case, which has attracted significant attention within the Edo State legal community since 2020, centered on the kidnapping and murder of Barr. Osobase, who was reportedly beaten to death and buried in a shallow grave.
Legal observers have described the outcome as a notable example of criminal litigation, noting that securing the acquittal of a single defendant in a multi-defendant murder trial of such magnitude required a meticulous challenge to the prosecution’s case.
The trial was marked by numerous hearings, witness testimonies, and forensic examinations presented by both the prosecution and the defence.
The prosecution was led by Orobosa Okunbor, Esq., a former Director of Public Prosecutions in Edo State, whose efforts contributed to the convictions secured in the case.
Following six years in custody and prolonged legal proceedings, Solomon Esuike left the courtroom a free man after being cleared of all allegations.