Up to about ten persons who were accused of attacking, robbing and killing a police officer have appeared before a Makurdi magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the suspects were charged with alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The accused, all residents of Okpokwu Local Government in Benue, are John Olegbo, Christian Olegbo, Mathew Ejeh, Alice Simon, Ameh Victor, Candidus Ejemi, Emmanuel Owochio, Michael Ameh, Benedict Ewache and Andrem.
When the case came up for mention, however, the pleas of the accused persons were not taken for want of jurisdiction.
The prosecutor, Mr. Abraham Akule, had told the court that the accused persons were arrested by a team of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad led by DSP Abdulmid Sanusi.
The prosecutor quoted Sanusi as saying that he and his team were on a routine patrol within Ugbokolo and its environs in Okpokwu on November 22, 2016 when they received information that the suspects had attacked a police officer.
He said, “The suspects conspired with one Vincent Adole, attacked and robbed a police inspector, Sunday Onoja and two others attached to Ugbokolo police station at their duty post at Amension Nipping point, in Ugbokolo.
“The accused persons forcefully snatched Onoja’s rifle, AK47 number 360203, and killed him, while Cpl Edwin Adah, his colleague, sustained injuries from gunshot, on his right knee.”
According to him, the offences contravened section 6 (b) (1) (2) (a) (b) of robbery and firearms (special provision) Act Cap RII Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and section 222 of the penal code law of Benue State (Revised Edition) 2004 suggested.
The prosecution, however, told the court that investigation was still in progress and asked for an adjournment.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Franca Yuwa, ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison, and adjourned the case to Feb. 24, 2017 for further mention.
