A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of seven persons in a correction centre for allegedly killing one Thaddeus Ujilla.

The defendants, who all live in Mbaiase Ulam Village in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue, included: Terwase Uzege, Terungwa Shagbaor, Vaakaa Nyitse, Nicodemus Iorwase, Oliver Aondungusha, Agirbe Amagwa and Msughve Chia.

They were charged with criminal conspiracy, trespass, culpable homicide and illegal possession of firearms.

The chief magistrate, Roseline Iyorshie, did not, however, take their plea for want of jurisdiction.

Mrs Iyorshie adjourned the matter till Sept 28 for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Aliade in Gwer-East Local Government Area via a letter dated July 24, to the State CID, Makurdi on the same date.

Mr Ato said that the letter stated that the father of the deceased, Michael Ujilla, had reported at Aliade police station on July 20 that his son was murdered.

The complainant stated that on July 19, 12 persons, including all the defendants, criminally conspired, armed themselves with guns, trespassed into his son’s house and shot him dead.

Mr Ato said that the defendants were arrested during police investigation, while others are still at large.

He said seven G-3 live ammunitions were recovered from one of the defendants, Mr Amagwa, while a pellet of bullet was recovered from the crime scene.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 97, 355 and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue, 2004 and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004.

 (NAN)