A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered that 10 men, who allegedly attacked a Police Station in Ado Local Government Area, be remanded in prison, pending legal advice.
The accused were identified as Emmanuel Obande, Daniel Ogbu, James Ogaba, Edosi Oja, Ochigba Ogaba, Ogbu Attah, Anthony Unogwu, Ogaba Obande, Daniel Onogwu and Sunday Otsapa,
The police preferred four counts of criminal conspiracy, trespass, attempt to commit culpable homicide, mischief and an act of terrorism.
The Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Veronica Shaagee, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ado Local Government to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Makurdi, through letter No. 3100/BNS/ADO/VOL.T/ dated July 24, 2019.
Shaagee said that on July 20, some group of youths numbering over 200 led 20 masquerades “Aketakpa” from Igumale town to the Divisional Police Station, Ado, armed themselves and attacked the station.
The group, she alleged, armed themselves with cutlass, sticks, stone, and other dangerous weapons, attacked policemen at the station and inflicted grievous injuries on Sgt Gabriel Adole, PC Joseph Jato and PC Patrick Lawal.
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She alleged that the hoodlums also damaged one Toyota Hilux van with registration No. DW 348 EKY valued at N3 million.
She prayed the court for more time to enable the police complete investigations in the matter.
She said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 349, 231 and 329 of Penal Code Laws of Benue State 2004 and Sections 100 of abduction, kidnapping, hostage taking, secret cult and similar activities (Prohibition) Law of Benue State 2017.
The Magistrate, Ms Rose Iyorshe, who did not take the plea of the accused, remanded them in the Makurdi Medium prisons.
Iyorshe ordered the police to duplicate the case file and send back to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
She adjourned the case until August 26 for further mention.