Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Makurdi on Tuesday remanded 98 persons in Correctional Center over the violent protest that rocked Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State two weeks ago.
The court however adjourned the case to August 21, 2024, for further mention.
Ninety-nine persons were arraigned in court but one of the suspects, a nursing mother was granted bail.
According to the First Information Report, the accused persons were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, culpable homicide, mischief, theft, armed robbery, and acts of terrorism.
The FIR further read, “that the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum local government area, Victor Iorzaa had reported to the Police that bandits attacked Boikyo ward in Ayati on 03/07/2024 at about 0030hrs and killed six persons.
“The same day at about 0800hrs, violent protesters in their thousands started burning down private and government property including Ukum LG Secretariat”.
Other properties listed to have been burnt down by the protesters include; Schools, Federal Road Safety Corps office, Courts, Civil Defence Office, Unity, Access and UBA banks, hotels, Benue Links park, residential buildings, INEC area office, BIRS office, Police Station, NUT office and local government guest house which amounted to millions of naira.
Counsels to the defendants, Tavershima Kusa Esq, E.T. Iyorkaa, M.A Uyina H. A. Abuul, I.G Akange, M.S kwaghtse, S.T Sorkwu and Robert Esq. did not oppose to application for extension of time to complete investigation.
A counsel Tavershima made oral application to grant bail to one Vivian Jacob, a nursing mother.
Ruling on the oral application, the Chief Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongon said, “Vivian is to be granted bail in the sum of 500,000 by a surety who should be a civilian servant with two passports.
“This is done in consideration that she is carrying a baby while all others should be remanded in correctional center, Makurdi”.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then