Court remands 6 farmers over murder of 72-yr-old man in Benue

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Wednesday ordered the remand of six farmers at the Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing 72-year-old Andrew Katseen. The defendants are Ternenge Torkuma, Emmanuel Tersoo, Sesugh Gbuusu, Emmanuel Mvendaga, Saaondo Beeka, and Torkuma Akiighir. All residents of Jato Aka in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, they […]

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Wednesday ordered the remand of six farmers at the Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing 72-year-old Andrew Katseen.

The defendants are Ternenge Torkuma, Emmanuel Tersoo, Sesugh Gbuusu, Emmanuel Mvendaga, Saaondo Beeka, and Torkuma Akiighir.

All residents of Jato Aka in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, they were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and culpable homicide.

Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun declined to take their pleas due to lack of jurisdiction.

He ordered their remand and adjourned the case to September 29 for further mention.

Earlier, prosecutor Insp. Godwin Ato told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Adikpo to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Makurdi on July 17, via a letter dated July 16.

According to Ato, the case originated from a report filed by Tyoyila Katseen of Christ the King College, Adikpo, at the Adikpo Police Station on July 13.

The complainant stated that on July 14, one of his brother’s wives, Mrs. Edward Katseen, called to inform him that she had visited Andrew Katseen’s home and found his lifeless body in the compound.

She allegedly told him there were visible injuries on his head and that a pestle—presumably used in the attack—was lying beside the corpse.

The complainant further alleged that the defendants, along with several others now at large, were responsible for the killing.

The prosecutor said the six suspects were arrested during police investigations, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend those still at large.

He noted that the alleged offenses contravene Sections 97, 349, and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State, 2004. (NAN)