From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by Taribo Attah on Monday remanded 8 persons over the assassination attempt on the member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Chief Philip Agbese.
It will be recalled that Chief Agbese was attacked last week by gunmen purportedly acting on the instruction of top politicians to eliminate the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives.
When the matter came up, the Police Prosecuting Officer, J.S Kwaghlaade, arraigned 8 persons namely Peter Gilbert, Pius Aboh, Awuru Sunday, Gabriel Ojoko, Paul Ochigbo, Yusuf Ajibo, Cyril Egwu, Daniel Odoh over their alleged involvement in the attempted assassination on Chief Agbese.
The suspects are charged with criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide, acts of terrorism and possession of fire arm.
According to the Police Prosecuting officer, the suspects who were arrested by security personnel assigned to Chief Agbese were later rearrested in the course of investigation while others are said to still be at large.
According to the police, the alleged offences contravene Sections 97 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004, Section 4(2)of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State 2017 and Section 3(1)of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, 2024.
During the hearing no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction .
The trial Magistrate,Taribo Attah then ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Center and accordingly adjourned the matter to June 6th, 2024.
