Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi Remands 98 Over Violent Protest in Ukum LGA.
The Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has remanded 98 individuals in a correctional center following a recent violent protest in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA). Politics Nigeria reports that a total of 99 suspects were arraigned in court on Tuesday, July 16. Among them, a nursing mother was granted bail.
The 98 accused face charges of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, culpable homicide, mischief, theft, armed robbery, and acts of terrorism.
Read Also: Rivers, Abia, Kaduna 10 other states to hold LGA elections after Supreme Court Ruling
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Victor Iorzaa, the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum LGA, reported to the police that bandits attacked Boikyo ward in Ayati on July 3, 2024, at approximately 12:30 AM, killing six individuals. Later that morning, at around 8:00 AM, violent protesters in their thousands began burning down both private and government property, including the Ukum LG Secretariat.
The FIR further detailed the extensive destruction caused by the protesters, which included the burning of schools, the Federal Road Safety Corps office, courts, the civil defense office, Unity Bank, Access Bank, UBA, hotels, the Benue Links park, residential buildings, the INEC area office, the BIRS office, the police station, the NUT office, and the Local Government Guest House. The total damage is estimated to be worth millions of naira.
Read Also: Governor Abba Yusuf Assents to Bill Creating Second-Class Emirates in Kano
The defense counsel team, comprising Tavershima Kusa Esq, E.T. Iyorkaa, M.A. Uyina, H. A. Abuul, I.G. Akange, M.S. Kwaghtse, S.T. Sorkwu, and Robert Esq., did not oppose the application for an extension of time to complete the investigation.
Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongon ruled on the oral application, stating, “Vivian is to be granted bail in the sum of N500,000 by a surety who should be a civil servant with two passport photos. This is done in consideration that she is carrying a baby, while all others should be remanded in the Correctional Centre, Makurdi.”
The case has been adjourned to August 21, 2024.
