A Makurdi Magistrates’ court on Tuesday remanded three persons for an alleged act of terrorism and being in possession of offensive weapons.
The Magistrate, Mr Vincent Kor refused to take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.
Kor ordered that the defendants, Iordye Terhide, Emmanuel Kuhwa and Ikyor Titus be remanded at the Makurdi prison while the court awaits legal advice.
He, however, adjourned the case until Sept 13, for further mention.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Ato Godwin told the court that the defendants were arrested by a team of Operation Zenda led by Insp. Ukooli Shimave while on a stop and search patrol at the Durah Bridge along Gboko Ugbema road Buruku L.G.A Benue on July 3, 2022.
“The team intercepted them while heading towards Ugbema Junction in a commercial bus.
“Upon search on the occupants, a cache of 180 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition of AK 47 rifle wrapped in packets were recovered from Iordye Terhide who is a member of a syndicate of illicit arms and ammunition dealers.
During the police investigation, Emmanuel Kuhwa and Ikyor Titus were arrested and confessed to committing the crime and were found with another 120 rounds of ammunition.
They confessed that the ammunition was set to be supplied to notorious vicious gangs of unknown gunmen terrorising Benue and its environs.
The Prosecution said the investigation into the matter was still ongoing and prayed the court for another date for mention.
He said the offence contravenes section 6(b) of the armed robbery and firearms special provisions Act 2004, Section 4(2) of the abduction, hostage taking, kidnapping prohibition law of Benue State 2017.
In a related development, a 35-year-old Osita Okoloneli, who allegedly collected and obtained the sum of 20 million under false pretence, was on Tuesday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The defendant, 35, was brought before the court on a three-count charge of false representation, assault and stealing.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that the defendant had committed the offences on Aug. 10, at No. 82, Brown Road, Coker, Surulere.
Momoh said the defendant had posed as an agent who imports things to the complainant, Onyinye Amaka.
She said he had collected the sum of N20 million from her under the pretext that he would help her import things but had converted the money into his personal use.
The offences, she said, contravened Sections 173, 287 and 413 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties each in the like sum and must submit his international passport.
She adjourned the case until Aug. 31 for mention.
