Court remands farmer for alleged banditry

A Magistrates’ in Makurdi, Benue State, at the weekend ordered that a 27-year -old farmer, Nsonga Akujov, charged with alleged banditry and illegal possession of firearms, be remanded in prison pending legal advice.

Magistrate  Ajuma Igama did not take Akujov’s plea for want of jurisdiction.

Igama ordered the police to send the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

She adjourned the case till September 26 for further mention.

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Prosecuting Sergeant Ato Godwin told the court that the suspect was arrested by troops of  the “Operation MESA “deployed in Ukum Local Government on July 31.

Ato said the team raided the town, following activities of bandits, kidnappers and robbers who were terrorising citizens.

He alleged that the suspect was arrested with an AK 47 rifle with reg No. 53016723, 56 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition and three live cartridges.

During further investigation by the police, he said, the suspect confessed to being a militia.

He said investigation into the matter was still ongoing and prayed for another date for mention.

The offence, he said, contravened Section 6(b) and 3(1) of the robbery and firearms special provision Act 2004; Section 4(2) of the abduction, hostage taking, kidnapping, secret cult and similar activities, prohibition Laws of Benue 2017.