Posted by By UJA EMMANUEL,Makurdi on
A Makurdi-based pastor is to spend the next five years in prison for attempting to kill a 14-year-old Solomon Benjamin for ritual in 1998.
A Makurdi-based pastor is to spend the next five years in prison for attempting to kill a 14-year-old Solomon Benjamin for ritual in 1998.
While delivering judgement in case No MAC/16c/200, Justice Terna Puusu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and there was enough evidence to convict the pastor.
He noted that from the evidence brought before the court by the prosecution, Pastor Mark Israel Ogbochi committed the offence on January 22, 1998.
According to Justice Puusu, Pastor Mark Israel stabbed Solomon Benjamin on his stomach and dragged him to a pit within the premises in his house in order to bury him alive.
Justice Puuzu held that from the evidence and medical report tendered by the prosecution, it was clear that Benjamin Solomon suffered severe injuries on his stomach and neck as a result of the near-fatal stabbing from the convicted pastor.
The judgement further asserted that the crime was committed shortly after, the pastor had contracted Benjamin Solomon, a wheel barrow pusher to carry firewood to his residence for a fee.