Court remands 8 over alleged assassination attempt on Benue NASS member

A Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr. Taribo Attah has ordered the remand of eight persons over the alleged assassination attempt on the lawmaker representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Philip Agbese in Ado Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
Recall that Chief Agbese who is the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, was allegedly attacked in Ado LGA last week by gunmen supposedly acting on the instructions of politicians.
Eight suspects including Peter Gilbert, Pius Aboh, Awuru Sunday, Gabriel Ojoko, Paul Ochigbo, Yusuf Ajibo, Cyril Egwu and Daniel Odoh were arrested over the matter and arraigned Monday at the Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in the assassination attempt.
The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide, acts of terrorism and possession of a firearm.
At the hearing, the Police Prosecuting Officer, Daniel Kwaghlaade told the court that 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.”
According to the Police, the alleged offences “contravenes 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 Chief Magistrate remanded the suspects at the Makurdi Correctional Center and adjourned the matter to June 6, 2024.
There was an indication that the ninth suspect was not arraigned as he was receiving medical attention at the time of the arraignment of others and would be arraigned at a later date.