A chief magistrates’ court docket in Makurdi on Monday ordered the remand of eight farmers in a correctional centre for allegedly killing Oyigocho Asu.

The defendants, Ngbede Paul, Boniface Ocholukpafu, Audu Ekwule, Ochohu Inalegwu, Peter Imanche, Odoba Adikwu, Gabriel Joseph and Nathaniel Gabriel, hail from Abugbe, in Agatu Native Authorities Space of Benue.

They have been charged with prison conspiracy and culpable murder earlier than Chief Justice of the Peace Vincent Kor.

Mr Kor, who didn’t take their plea for need of jurisdiction, adjourned the matter till October 26, 2022, for additional point out.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Godwin Ato, advised the court docket that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agatu, to the State CID, Makurdi, on July 18.

Mr Ato stated the Clan Head of Abugbe in Agatu, one Bartholomew Ijele, had reported the matter on the Abugbe Police Station on June 24.

He alleged that the clan head had, on June 23, obtained a cellphone name from his spokesman (Omadachi), now deceased, that his rival had attacked him for the Abugbe chieftaincy title, James Edoh and his supporters.

“The complainant said additional that his spokesman advised him on cellphone that the suspects, who have been armed with weapons and cutlasses, invaded his residence and shot him on the decrease a part of his stomach.”

In accordance with the prosecutor, the deceased died on July 15 on the Medical Centre, Makurdi, the place he was rushed after the alleged assault.

Mr Ato stated the police detectives later arrested the suspects whereas 11 others have been nonetheless on the run.

He stated the offences contravened sections 97 and 222 of the penal code legal guidelines of Benue, 2004.

(NAN)