Court remands 3 for belonging to unlawful society in Benue

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court 3 on Thursday remanded three persons at the Federal Correctional Centre for alleged criminal conspiracy and membership of unlawful society, to wit, cultism.

The Magistrate, Ms Adah Odeh, ordered that all the accused be remanded at Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.

The Prosecutor, Insp Rachel Mchiave, told the court that the case was received at the DZ Section SCID Makurdi through letter NO. CJ:4161/BNS/JTF/OPZ/VOL.1/439 on August 1.

Mchiave stated that men of Operation Zenda JTF led by ASP Usman Danlami while on surveillance patrol on Aug. 1, within Makurdi town, acted on a tip off and stormed one hideout around Welfare Quarters area in Makurdi where the accused persons were arrested.

She said that the suspects are  Raphael Torna, 33,  known as Chemical, Terungwa Agulebe, 42, known as Don Wany, and Benedict Shakpende, 28, all of various addresses in Makurdi.

Mchiave said one axe was recovered from the suspects during the arrest.

She said that investigation was ongoing into the matter and requested the Court for time to complete it.

She said that all the accused had confessed to belonging to the Black Axe confraternity terrorising Makurdi town.

The prosecutor said the act contravened section 97 of the Penal Code of Benue State, 2004 and 11(2) of the Abduction, Hostage taking, kidnapping, secret cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law.

No plea was, however, taken for want of jurisdiction when the case came up for mention.

The Magistrate then adjourned the case to Oct. 12, for further mention.