Two farmers, Innocent German, 25, and Benjamin Echekwe, 25, were on Tuesday arraigned before a Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a fisherman, Peter Akwayi.
NAN reports that the two accused were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to Sections 97(1) and 221(a) of the Penal Code.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Friday Shaibu, told the court that the accused committed the offence at Elele Village in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi state, on March 19.
The prosecutor said Mr. Friday David, a resident of Elele village reported the matter at the divisional police headquarters, Onyedega.
He said on the day of the incident, the deceased was fishing in Aji-Ojua rive around 7:20 p.m when the accused conspired and armed themselves with a dane gun, attacked and shot him dead.
Shaibu said having killed him, the accused dumped the corpse in the bush and covered it with leaves.
The prosecutor, who said police investigation led to the arrest of the accused applied for another day for mention of the case as investigation is still ongoing.
He said,
“I object to their bail. We ask for a Custodian Order to remand the defendants at the Federal Prisons, Idah.”
The Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, in his ruling, described culpable homicide preferred against the accused as the highest crime known to the laws of the country.
He said the court would not grant bail to the accused in spite of the presumption of their innocence as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Animoku said,
“The offence alleged against them under Section 221 of the Penal Code is a fearful one. So, the defendants shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Idah.”
The chief magistrate, therefore, transferred the case to Chief Magistrate’s Court, Idah and adjourned to April 24, for mention.
