A Benin High Court on Wednesday rejected an application by the police seeking to remand five persons arraigned on a three-count charge of willful damage.

The suspects are Osaigbovo Idemudia, Osasere Eria, Michael Atohengbe, Osamu Sadis, and Osahon Ezekiel.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy and willful damage of property at the Owan Forest Reserve in Irue Village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo.

The police arraigned the suspects in connection with an alleged incident that occurred on 7 November 2025 at the forest reserve.

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However, the Vacation Judge, Terry Momodu, declined the application for remand and granted the defendants bail of ₦500,000 each, with one surety each.

In his ruling, Justice Momodu held that the alleged offences were of a simple nature.

He said that there was nothing before the court to establish that the defendants had breached or jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to them by the police.

He therefore ordered the five accused persons to remain available and to report weekly to sign the attendance register as part of the conditions attached to their bail.

(NAN)