Court remands 99 suspects over Benue community crisis
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, Benue, has ordered the remand of 99 suspects, over crisis that broke out in Ukum Local Government Area of the state on July 3.
The suspects, brought to the court by the Police, were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, culpable homicide, mischief, theft, armed robbery and terrorism.
The case was mentioned, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Kelvin Mbanongun did not take their pleas of the suspects for want of jurisdiction.
Mbanongun ordered their remand in the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Makurdi and adjourned the matter until Aug 21 for further mention. The 99 suspects are all youths from Ukum.
Police Prosecutor, Mr Jonah Uletu told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ukum, Zaki-Biam to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi via a letter dated July 7.
Uletu said the letter stated that, on July 3, the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum LGA, Mr Victor Iorzaa reported at the police station that on the same date, some bandits attacked Ayati community, Boikyo ward in Ukum LGA and killed six persons.
Iorzaa said, on same date, violent protesters in their thousands started burning and destroying personal and government property.
He said they burnt down Ukum LG Secretariat, Schools, Federal Road safety Corps office, Courts, NCSDC Office, Unity, Access, and UBA Banks.
The prosecutor said hotels, Benue Links park, residential buildings, INEC Area Office, BIRS Area office, Police station, NUT Office and LGC Guest were also set ablaze.
The complainant said the protesters killed and burnt three persons in the process and made an attempt to invade the Ukum police division In Zaki-Biam but were resisted by the officers on duty at the station.
Prosecutor said their offences contravene Sections 97, 222, 329,337 and 289 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State, 2004; 1(2) and (3) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2010 and 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret cult and similar activities Prohibition Law of Benue State, 2017.
