Court remands PDP chieftains over cyber crimes, defamation

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Former Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP} in Benue State, Chief Isaac Mffo and the erstwhile State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom have been sent to the Makurdi Correctional Centre by Justice Kelvin Mbanongon.

The two chieftains of the PDP were found culpable  over alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cyber crimes and defamation of characters against Prof. Nicholas Ada, High Chief Terngu Tsegba and former Benue Assembly Speaker Terseer Tsumba

In a prosecution sheet read before the accused, the Court Clerk stated that Bemgba Iortyom and Isaac Mffo had recently alleged that the trio of Prof. Nicholas Ada, High Chief Terngu Tsegba and former Benue Assembly Speaker Terseer Tsumba, had  recently sponsored thugs to disrupt Ward Congresses which were supposed to take effect in Benue state, caused the breach of peace within the PDP and had in 2023 embezzled funds meant for the conduct of elections in Benue State.

Putting appearance for the defendants, (Bemgba Iortyom and Isaac Mffo), Barr. A.U. Gar pleaded that the court should grant his Client bail on self-recognition but was vehemently objected by C.N. Agudu who submitted that the weight of the accusations were too heavy to be easily taken for granted.

The Presiding Judge, Justice K. Mbanongon concurred that the allegations bordering on Cyber Crimes could not be treated with kids gloves and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Màkurdi Correctional Center while investigation to the matter should continue.

Justice Mbanongon therefore fixed October 15th, 2024 for further mention of the case.