From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, remanded eight people over the assassination attempt on the member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency and deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Chief Philip Agbese.
Chief Agbese was attacked last week by gunmen purportedly acting on the instruction of top politicians.
When the matter came, the Police Prosecuting Officer, J.S Kwaghlaade, arraigned eight people, including Peter Gilbert, Pius Aboh, Awuru Sunday, Gabriel Ojoko, Paul Ochigbo, Yusuf Ajibo, Cyril Egwu, and Daniel Odoh, over their alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of Chief Agbese.
The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide, acts of terrorism and possession of firearm. The Police prosecuting officer said the suspects, who were arrested by security personnel around Chief Agbese, were later rearrested in the course of investigation, while others are still at large.
The police said the alleged offences contravene Sections 97 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004, Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State 2017 and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, 2024. No plea was taken.
The trial Magistrate, Taribo Attah, remanded the suspects at the Makurdi Correctional Centre and, accordingly, adjourned the matter to June 6, 2024.
Findings revealed that only eight of the nine suspects so far arrested were arraigned as one of the suspects was receiving medical treatment as of the time of arraignment.
He is to be arraigned on a later date.