The Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi on Tuesday ordered that 98 people be sent to a Correctional Center for their involvement in a violent protest in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State two weeks ago.
The case has been adjourned to August 21, 2024, for further mention.
Ninety-nine people were brought to court, but one of the suspects, a nursing mother, was granted bail.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, culpable homicide, mischief, theft, armed robbery, and acts of terrorism.
The FIR stated, “The Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Victor Iorzaa, 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.”
Properties burned by the protesters included 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 the local government guest house, amounting to millions of naira in damage.
The defense lawyers, 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 the application for more time to complete the investigation.
One of the defense lawyers, Tavershima Kusa, made an oral application for bail for Vivian Jacob, a nursing mother. The Chief Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongon, granted the bail.
“Vivian is to be granted bail in the sum of 500,000 Naira by a surety who should be a civil servant with two passports. This is done in consideration that she is carrying a baby, while all others should be remanded in the Correctional Center, Makurdi,” said Chief Magistrate Mbanongon.
