By Martin Iyonguvihi
A 47-year-old man, Apollo Atserga, in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State was recently remanded in prison custody for allegedly setting his uncle’s house, Asema Ugber ablaze, while he was asleep with his wife and children.
The suspect, who was arraigned by the Benue State Police Command before a Makurdi Upper Area Court was charged for mischief by fire and attempt to commit culpable homicide, contrary to Section 388 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State, 2004.
According to the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Sgt Bem Kangeh, the suspect was arrested on March 11, 2022 following a letter of complaint, by Ngulenen Asema, from Uja village in Logo LGA that on February 25 of this year, one Apollo Atserga of the same address attacked his father, Asema Ugber of the same address in his house, set his thatch house ablaze while he was sleeping with his wife and children with the intention to kill him and his family.
He further alleged that the following items were burnt to ashes, 12 inches mattress valued at N60,000; 12 food coolers valued N25,000; 5 different designer plates valued at N40,000; bunch of children cloths value yet unknown; his clothes and his wife’s cloths value yet known and cash sum of N70,000.
No plea for want of jurisdiction was taken when the suspect was arraigned in court, as the Prosecutor, Inspr. Veronica Shaagee asked for an adjournment for the police to complete investigations in the matter.
Ruling on the application, the Magistrate, Mrs Dooshima Ikpambiese ordered that the accused be remanded at the federal correctional facility in Makurdi, while adjourning the case to April 20, 2023 for further mention.