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Benue Court Sentences 5 To Death

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Five men from Anchoha Village, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State have been sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide by Justice T.A Kume of the Makurdi High Court.

 

The individuals, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna, and Kwaghgba Zaki, were charged before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court in 2021.

 

Charged under Sections 97, 349, 329, and 222 of the penal code laws of Benue, 2004, the five men were accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide.

 

On October 5, 2021, they trespassed on Oliver Jato’s land, cutting down trees for charcoal. A confrontation with Abraham Hwange, Peter Agber, and the deceased escalated into a violent scuffle, resulting in the beating to death of Biija by the convicted individuals.

 

Following legal advice, the case was transferred to the High Court, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

During the proceedings, the first defendant, Zwave, admitted guilt, whereas the others entered pleas of not guilty.

 

The defendants testified without calling any witnesses, while the prosecution presented seven witnesses.

 

In the final written address, R.B.N Amenger, the prosecution counsel, contended that the defendants’ plea of not guilty amounted to a mere denial.

 

Amenger argued that the defendants failed to provide a substantive defense, relying on denials and technicalities that, according to him, were not material or fatal to the prosecution’s case.

 

In his final written address, Defense counsel D.U Liam argued that the prosecution hadn’t proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt to justify the defendants’ sentencing.

 

Nevertheless, the trial Justice ruled that the prosecution had indeed established its case beyond all reasonable doubts. The Justice emphasized that denying the commission of an offense does not equate to not having committed it.

 

Justice Kume asserted that the burden of proof lay with the defense counsel, a requirement he deemed unmet.

 

Despite hearing the plea for mercy from the defendants and their counsel’s statement, which included the Lord’s prayers, Kume maintained the legal perspective on the burden of proof in the case.

 

Justice Kume emphasized that the applicable law in the case lacked the mercy found in the Lord’s prayer.

 

Consequently, he sentenced the defendants to death by hanging on the four-count-charge.

Crime

Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia

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A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.

The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.

READ MORE: FG Allocates N112bn To Enhance Child Safety, Education In Three Years

This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.

However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.

The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.

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Crime

Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured

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A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.

Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.

The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.

 

READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises

An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.

“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”

The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.

Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.

However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.

“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.

Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.

 

 

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Crime

IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam

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The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.

The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.

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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.

“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.

The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.

The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.

During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.

“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.

“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”

The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.

This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.

 

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