From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Court remands Benue 17 year old girl who set boyfriend ablaze in prison
A magistrate court sitting in Makurdi has ordered that the 17 year old girl Esther Alex who set her boyfriend ablaze, be remanded in Correctional Center, Makurdi.
The case which came up for mention yesterday had the First Information Report read to the accused.
The FIR, titled,’Mischief by Fire and Culpable Homicide’ read in parts, “that one Esther Alex ‘F’ of no 1, Zaki Biam street, Wadata Makurdi went to the house of Mr Chidimma Omah ‘M’ 28 years old at No 17, Yandev street, Makurdi and poured petrol in it while he was asleep and set him ablaze.
“As a result, the room was engulfed in fire and burnt down the entire house property value not yet known together with Mr Chidimma Omah who sustained grave burns and subsequently died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
The prosecutor, Inspector, Dominic Ochaba asked that the accused be remanded in correctional center, Makurdi pending when nvestigation into the matter is concluded.
Counsel to the accused, S.O. Obekpa however, did not object to the prosecutor’s prayer but drew the attention of the court to the First Information Report.
The lawyer said, “there is no objection to the prosecutor’s prayer but where and manner the fuel was kept.”
Obekpa however, requested for oral application to be made in respect of the FIR but which was declined by the magistrate.
The Magistrate, Regina Ochokwunu however, ordered that the accused be remanded in the correctional center and adjourned the case to March, 5, 2021.
