Court remands 3 suspected cultists for allegedly attacking party goer

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Tuesday, ordered that three suspected cultists, who allegedly attacked a man during a Christmas party, be remanded in a correctional centre.

The police charged Terkuma Iorunde, Lubem Akusu and Kwaghbo Ndermen, all who live in Tomahaa community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue, with criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and belonging to an unlawful society to wit black axe.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Vincent Kor , did not take the plea of the suspects because the court lacked jurisdiction.

Kor ordered the police to return the case file to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

He adjourned the matter until March 22, for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, ASP Hyacinth Gbakor told the court that the case was transferred via a letter from the Divisional Police Headquarter, Kwande to the state CID, Makurdi on Jan 20, for further investigation.

He alleged that the complainant, Christopher Yaji reported that the suspects on Dec 29, 2020 attacked his nephew, Atem Tawanger , during a  Christmas party in Tomahaa Village Market Square.

Gbakor alleged that armed with axes, the suspects slashed Tawanger on his head.

The prosecution said that the suspects were arrested and during police investigation, two axes were recovered at the scene of the crime.

He alleged that the suspects voluntarily confessed that they were members of  the black axe confraternity.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97, 246 of the Penal Code Law of Benue, 2004 and 11(2) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.