Ukum Conflict: Court remands 98 accused persons in prison

…Grants bails to nursing mother

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A Magistrate Court sitting in Makurdi has ordered that 98 persons fingered in the crisis in Ukum local government area of Benue State be remanded in Correctional Center.
The order was following the arraignment of 99 accused persons charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, culpable homicide, mischief, theft, armed robbery and acts of terrorism.
According to the prosecution, the Care taker Chairman, 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 6 persons.
He also, said that, on the same day at about 0800hrs, violent protesters in their thousands starting burning down private and government property including Ukum LG Secretariat, schools, Federal Road Safety Corps office, Courts, Civil Defence Office.
Other affected areas are 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 million of naira.
The prosecution applied for extension of time to complete investigation which the counsel to the defendants didn’t opposed.
Counsels to the defendants including, Tavershima Kusa Esq,E.T. Iyorkaa, M.A Uyina H. A. Abuul, I.G Akange, M.S kwaghtse, S.T Sorkwu and Robert Esq.
However, they made an 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 grant bail in the sum of 500,000 by a surety who should be a civilian servant with 2 passports.
“This is done in consideration that she is carrying a baby while all others should be remanded in correctional center, Makurdi”.