By Amos Aar
A Makurdi Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Mr Kelvin Mbanongun, on Tuesday remanded four suspects at the Makurdi Medium Correctional Centre, over alleged offences of conspiracy, mischief and theft of armored cables at City Bay Park, Makurdi.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), obtained from Police B Division, Makurdi and read during the arraignment, the suspects, Terhemba Andrew, Zungwen Samuel, Peter Terhemen and Ali Aminu, were arrested on July 19, 2024 on allegations that they contravened sections 97, 317 and 327 of penal code law of Benue State.
The FIR entitled, “Criminal Conspiracy, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property and Mischief,” reads:
“On the 19/7/2024 at about 15003hrs one Aondover Mathew ‘M’ of City Bay Park Makurdi came to ‘B’ Division Police Station high level Makurdi and reported on the same date at about 0400hrs he was called by the security to inform him that thieves have entered into the premises of city Bay park and vandalized the armored cables that supply light to the park.
“He stated that, he quickly rushed to the scene to see things for himself and discovered that actually, the armored cables have been Vandalized, He further stated that in the course of investigation it was discovered that one Gabi ‘M’ Surname Unknown who is still at large and one Terhemen Peter ‘M’. That one Ali Auimu was the Receiver. On the 21 July, 2024, One Terhemba Andrew ‘M’ and one Zungwene Samuel ‘M’ were seen on lader to disconnect the light from pole transmitting light to city Bay park. He further said that the two men were not NEPA staff. [sic]
“During police Investigation, the said Suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. Sections 97, 317 and 327 of penal code law suggested”. [sic]
However, when arraigned in the court, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Mbanongun refused the oral bail application by counsel to the 1st-3rd defendants, Mr Anagu Esq, and that of counsel to the 4th defendant, Mr Shie George Esq.
Mbanongun instead ordered that the counsel should file a formal bail application as he ordered the remand of the defendants at the Makurdi Medium Correctional Service.
He adjourned the matter to August 28, 2024 for further mention.
