High Court in Ubiaja adjourns proceedings in the murder case of 57-year-old farmer Saturday Ojiewa after hearing and cross-examining witnesses

The High Court sitting in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, has adjourned the Edo Farmer Murder Trial involving the killing of 57-year-old farmer Saturday Ojiewa until September 23, 2026, after hearing and cross-examining witnesses.

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The court fixed the new date after concluding proceedings for the day, with the trial set to continue later this year.

“The case came up for hearing today and the court adjourned it after cross examining the witnesses present,” a family source told SaharaReporters.

The latest adjournment has deepened anxiety among Ojiewa’s relatives and residents of Uhomebho Community, who say they are eager to see the case concluded and those responsible held accountable.

Family members expressed frustration over the repeated delays, arguing that each adjournment prolongs their grief and fuels concerns about whether justice will be delivered within a reasonable time.

The case has attracted widespread attention in the predominantly farming community since Ojiewa was allegedly murdered on his farm in February 2026.

According to relatives, the 57-year-old left home for his farm as usual but failed to return, prompting residents to organise a search.

A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity over fears of intimidation, recalled the events leading to the discovery of the farmer’s body.

“On February 9, I was called that he was killed on the farm. The community residents could only trace his body after searching for many hours because he failed to return home.

A trace of blood led them to where they buried him in a shallow grave,” the relative said.

Residents said the search party followed bloodstains before discovering Ojiewa’s body buried in a shallow grave, an incident that sent shockwaves through the community and triggered calls for a thorough investigation.

The trial has continued to generate public interest, with community members insisting that those responsible should be prosecuted without interference.

Relatives of the deceased have also alleged that attempts are being made to secure the release of Timothy Ukpebor, the man they identified as the alleged sponsor of the killing.

However, the allegation has not been independently verified, and no court has made any finding on the claim.

Ukpebor remains in police custody as the criminal proceedings continue.

Since the case commenced, the Edo Farmer Murder Trial has experienced several adjournments, a development that residents say has heightened fears that justice could be delayed.

While expressing confidence in the judicial process, members of the community said they hope the next hearing on September 23 will mark significant progress in the prosecution and bring Ojiewa’s family closer to obtaining justice.