- Olalere Toheeb
A middle aged farmer, Awase Benjamin, has been remanded in custody by a Makurdi Magistrates’ court for allegedly destroying government property and possessing a firearm illegally.
The magistrate, Mr. Kelvin Mbanongun, declined to take Benjamin’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction and ordered his remand at the Makurdi Correctional Centre pending the completion of investigations.
According to the police prosecutor, Insp. Ato Godwin, Benjamin was arrested by Stephen Wergba, a supervisor at the School of Aviation, Mbasonbo, Utuu Makurdi, with the assistance of Titus Adi, a volunteer guard. Another suspect, Abraham Terseer, was also arrested in a bus loaded with iron doors. Upon search, a locally made revolver pistol with seven rounds of ammunition was found on Benjamin, along with other items including tiles, toilet seatings, diesel, and a wooden door.
The prosecutor requested an adjournment until October 8 for further mention, citing ongoing investigations. The alleged offenses contravene various sections of the Penal Code law of Benue State, the Miscellaneous Provision Act, and the Robbery and Firearms Special Provision Act.