By Martin Iyonguvihi
A 25-year-old farmer, Angbo James Terngu of Tse-Awuna, in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State has been arraigned and remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing one Enoch Msughter Jenu, aged 32.
The suspect, who was arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004 for beating the victim and butchering him to death for allegedly invading his farm and stealing yams.
According to the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Sgt Bem Kengeh, the case was reported by Jenu Jones, the father of the victim, at the Naka police station that the defendant had conspired with one Philip Udegi, all of same address, attacked his son, beat him up and matcheted him to death on 26 February, 2021, while alleging that he entered his farm and stole his yams.
Sgt Kengeh told the court that the defendant was arrested during police investigation for committing the crime and one blue Honda motorcycle, one Siccoo handset and one easy wear, all belonging to the deceased person were recovered from him. He also said a cutlass was recovered from the crime scene, while the second suspect, Philip Udegi is still at large.
No plea for want of jurisdiction was taken when the defendant was arraigned in Court as the Prosecutor, Sgt Friday Kanshio, asked for another date to complete investigation while applying that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
Counsel to the defendant, O. Alu Esq, who was holding brief for M.D Ahule Esq, did not oppose application for a new date but said he will be making a formal application for bail of the defendant.
Granting his ruling, the Magistrate, V. T Kor Esq, adjourned the case to 26 April, 2021 for further mention while ordering that the defendant be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Makurdi.