A farmer, Jacob Ikpe, is to be remanded in a correctional centre, a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi gave the order on Tuesday.

He is accused of beating a 75-year-old man to death.

Mr Ikpe, 28, who lives in Ikpakikwu Iyeche Village in Oju LGA of Benue, is charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.

The prosecution counsel, Godwin Ato, told the court that on November 23, the matter was transferred from the Oju divisional police headquarters to the state CID unit in Makurdi.

Mr Ato said the wife of the deceased, Elizabeth Ogah, reported the case at the police station in Oju.

He said that Mr Ikpe and his accomplices Friday Oluwa and Obonto, whose surname was not given, and who are at large, dragged the victim, Jarius, out of his house, beat him up and set his house on fire.

The prosecution said the suspects buried him in a shallow grave.

Chief Magistrate, Vincent Kor, did not take the plea of Mr Ikpe for want of jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until January 11, for further mention.

(NAN)