The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, was yesterday released from the Oko Minimum Prison in Edo State.
Ugolor was arrested on July 27 by the police after he was named by a suspect, Garuba Usman Maisamari, as the sponsor of the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, the former Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Maisamari alleged that Ugolor paid him N200,000 of the N20 million agreed on to kill Olaitan.
He said he hired four others, who killed Oyerinde.
An Edo State High Court presided over by Justice Esther Edigin had earlier ordered Ugolor’s release from police custody, but the order was not obeyed.
In August 31, Ugolor and nine others were arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded in Oko Minimum Prison.
Ruling on the bail application filed by Ugolor’s counsel Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, Justice P. Imodemhe said beyond Maisamari’s statement, the police could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ugolor was involved in the murder.
Justice Imodemhe said the report in the counter-affidavit filed by the police showed that they are still investigating the matter and are not ready to prosecute Ugolor.
He granted Ugolor N1 million bail to a surety with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Ugolor was released from prison about 4:30pm.
He was wearing a dark green t-shirt, blue jean trousers and a brown jacket when he walked out of the prison .
Ugolor was received by members of civil society organisations. They sang solidarity songs. Some of them carried him on their shoulder while others powdered his face.
Ugolor said he was grateful to God for everything.
He said: “Good will always triumph over evil. This has shown that when you are good to humanity, humanity will be good to you.”
His wife, Ngozi, who was at the court, said her husband is a life giver and not a life destroyer.
She said justice would prevail.
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Called from The Nation
