By Onyeje Abutu-Joel

Six farmers were arraigned before Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court, Benue State on Wednesday for allegedly killing a housewife and stealing the motorcycle of the husband.

The farmers identified as Sunday Onah, Moses Victor, Friday Agbo, Kinsley Onyike, Edwin Udama and Thomas Onalwo who all live in Anwo, Idelle in Oju Local Government Area of Benue were charged with criminal conspiracy, theft, intimidation and culpable homicide by the police.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Godwin Ato told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Obusa Ainu in Oju to the State CID, Makurdi on Sept 29 for thorough investigation.

Ato said the husband of the deceased, Patrick Ogebe reported the matter at the police station on Sept 21.

The complainant told the police that he went to Oju town with his two children on Sept 18 and returned home on Sept 20 and discovered that his wife was missing.

He also stated that his ‘CG125’ motorcycle was also missing.

The complainant said he reported the matter to the community council which organised a wide search in two communities, Oye and Anwo where the CG125 motorcycle was later discovered in the house of Onah at Anwo.

The complainant further stated that a week to the incident, Onyike and Udama had threatened his life that he would see.

He also said that Onalwo heard his wife crying for help on the day they threatened him but refused to inform the community.

Prosecutor said the suspects were all arrested during police investigation and Onah mentioned Victor and Agbo to have brought the motorcycle to his house.

Prosecutor said further investigation took detectives to Anwo Idelle and it was discovered that the woman was killed and buried in a shallow grave in a nearby forest.

He informed the court that the corpse had been exhumed and deposited in the General Hospital Mortuary, Oju for autopsy.

He said their offence contravenes the provisions contravened Sections 97, 288, 398 and 222 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

However, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun did not take their pleas for want of jurisdiction over the matter.

He ordered that they sould be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Makurdi.

Mbanongun adjourned the matter until Dec 17, for further mention. -(NAN)

Source; PM News