TheCable

The Benue state police command has arraigned three persons before a Makurdi upper area court for alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and terrorism.

The suspects — Terhide Imo, Orvendega Orhena, and Aondongu Imo — were arraigned on Monday.

Racheal Mchiave, the police prosecutor, told the court that the case was transferred from the divisional police headquarters, Daudu, Guma LGA, to the state criminal investigation department (SCID), Makurdi, via a letter dated March 21.

Mchiave said one Terkura China reported the case on March 6 at the Daudu police station.

The prosecutor said on March 5, some hoodlums, armed with sticks, burnt bricks and other dangerous weapons, invaded his residence and “mercilessly beat up” China Nor, his father, who is aged 82, and smashed his head, resulting in his death.

She said the suspects were arrested during the investigation.

The prosecutor said the suspects “voluntarily” confessed to the crime while a big stick used in killing the deceased was recovered.

She added that other members of the gang are still at large.

The police prosecutor said the act contravened section 4(2) of the abduction, hostage taking, kidnapping, secret cult and similar activities prohibition laws of Benue 2017, and sections 97 and 222 of the penal code laws of the state.

Mchiave said an investigation into the matter is still ongoing and requested more time to complete it.

Dooshima Ikpambese, the judge, remanded the suspects at the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre, Makurdi, and adjourned the case to May 4.