Suspect in murder of Dariye’s father rearrested at bank — despite being remanded

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have rearrested Jethro Ngusen, a suspect who was remanded at the Jos correctional centre.

Ngusen is facing trial over the alleged murder of Dariye Dafwan, father of Joshua Dariye, a former governor of Plateau.

The suspect and other defendants were remanded at the Jos correctional centre pending the conclusion of trial.

In September 2021, Ngusen and other suspects were arrested by the police in connection with the murder of 92-year-old Dafwan.

The deceased was abducted by kidnappers and later murdered despite the payment of N10 million ransom.

Ngusen and other defendants were arraigned on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.

But on July 30, Ngusen was said to have been seen at a bank attempting to withdraw money, according to a petition by the Plateau ministry of justice.

J. I. Mantu, assistant director of citizens’ rights and law reform at the ministry, said Ngusen was rearrested by police officers at the bank where he went to withdraw money.

The petition, dated August 15, was addressed to the divisional police officer of A division, Plateau state police command.

The ministry said the arrest of Ngusen has “raised concerns about the potential escape, compromise, misuse of privileged or unauthorised activities”.

“The ministry is prosecuting Jethro Ngusen alongside six (6) other defendants in charge no: PLD/J203c/2021 — The People of Plateau State v. Ya’u Saidu Alias Ya’u Kaban & 6ors — for the offences of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and murder, in the Plateau state high court of justice sitting at West of Mines, Jos before Hon. Justice G. D. Fwomyon,” the petition reads.

“The defendants have all been remanded at the Jos Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial following the order of the honourable Court.

“According to information available to the Ministry, Jethro Ngusen, an inmate remanded in custody of the Jos Correctional Centre was arrested by your officers on the 31st July, 2023 in a bank when he went to withdraw money and the attention of your division was drawn to that fact from the bank, leading to his arrest by your officers.”

The ministry asked the police to provide details on the investigation, evidence, legal proceedings and the whereabouts of the defendant.