Court remands eight suspects over ‘kidnap’ of Benue commissioner’s wife

A magistrate court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of eight men at the state’s correctional centre for allegedly kidnapping Ann Unenge, wife of Benue commissioner for lands, survey and solid minerals.

The suspects are Samuel Ogbodo, Chidi Anekwe, Monday Anyigor, John Igwe, John Nwoke, Mathias Odoh, Matthew Eze and Iorhemen Yagba.

They were charged with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and terrorism, which are offences contrary to the provisions of sections 6(6)& 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Acts 2004 and 3(2) and 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State 2017.

Although the suspects did not take their plea for want of jurisdiction, Adah Odeh, presiding magistrate, ordered that they should be remanded at the federal correctional centre, pending legal advice.

Earlier, Rachael Mchiave, police counsel, had told the court that the case was received at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Makurdi, through letter No. CJ:4161/BNS/JTF/OPZ/VOL. 1/440 on August 2.

Mchiave said operatives of the joint task force (JTF), led by one Usman Dalamin, acting on an intelligence report, busted a syndicate that allegedly kidnapped the commissioner’s wife and her driver on July 29.

She said they demanded N51 million ransom.

The prosecution also alleged that one AK-47 rifle with breech number 5006971, double magazines loaded with 28 rounds of live ammunition, two pump action live cartridges, locally-made pistol and charms were recovered from the suspects.

She said investigation into the matter was ongoing and prayed the court for an adjournment.

The case was adjourned till October 12 for further mention.