A Makurdi Magistrate Judge, Mr Isaac Ajim today remanded six Fulani herdsmen for the murder of 18 persons in Akor Village of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
When the cases came up, Police officers Dennis Tarhemba and Edward Imo appeared for the prosecution, while Mr Al-Mustapha appeared for the accused persons.
The accused persons, Ibrahim Sale, Jubrin Adamu, Magaji Yau, Usaini Bala, Ibrahim Abubakar and Sabiu Yau all of Awe Local Government Area of Nassarawa state were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, violation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, causing grievous harm with dangerous weapon, and culpable homicide.
According to the prosecution police officers, Mr Dennis Tarhemba and Edward Imo, on the 31st of December 2017, one Menga Mgande of Akor Village in Guma Local Government came to the police station in Gbajimba and reported that on the same day at about 1500 hours, a group of Fulani herdsmen attacked his village, shooting sporadically and in the process killed the following persons: Mngende Tsevbee(65 years), Iorpuu Elizabeth, Iortya Priscilla and her two years old son, Gwa Julius, Edward Alibo, and 13 others.
They also destroyed houses, burning crops, and openly rearing cattle within farmlands in Akor village, thereby contravening sections 97,329,333 and 22 of the penal code law of Benue State, and section 26(2)(3)of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 of Benue State.
No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
Mr Isaac Ajim ordered that the accused persons be remanded at the Federal Prisons Makurdi, and adjourned the case to the 5th of March, 2018 for further mention.
In a related case, the prosecution counsel also arraigned another Fulani herdsman, Ibrahim Mallam who was arrested on the 28th of December 2017, for leading over 70 cows to graze in an open area along Naka road, alongside one Adamu Ibrahim, and Hassan Musa who are now at large.
Similarly, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
The prosecution counsel told the court that investigation is ongoing, and the police are making efforts to arrest the two suspects who are still at large.
Counsel to the accused, Al-Mustapha Elegu did not oppose the application for adjournment, saying he would apply for the bail of all his clients on a later date.
Mr Ajim ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Prisons Makurdi, and adjourned the case to the 5th of March, 2018.
