Two septuagenarians in court over alleged conspiracy, homicide
Two septuagenarians, John Mkomen (76) and Dominic Orhena (77) were on Thursday, arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged conspiracy and homicide.
Mkomen and Orhena are being tried for their alleged involvement in the killing of five persons following a land dispute.
The prosecutor, Friday Kanshio, gave the names of the five people allegedly killed by the defendants as Tyolumun Ikyor, Msughve Akpenwuan, Peter Azange, Terwase Ever and Emmanuel Woapera
He said that the defendants were being charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide, all of which were punishable under Sections 97, 338 and 222 of the Penal Code of Benue state, 2004.
Kanshio told the court that the case was transferred from Aliade police division to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Makurdi, through a letter dated April 15.
He said that the Onmbaaku and Onmbaamom families of Onmbaakyemcha Moapen kindred in Gwer-East Local Government Area attacked each other, following a land dispute, leading to the death of five persons.
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The prosecutor said that the defendants were arrested in the course of police investigation into the matter.
Mr. Joseph Tyeku, counsel to the defendants, made an oral application to the court to grant bail to his clients, assuring that they would respect the bail conditions.
Chief Magistrate, Mr. Isaac Ajim, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N1 million each and a surety each in like sum.
Ajim ordered that the money be deposited with the registrar of the court before the defendants can be released on bail.
He thereafter, adjourned the matter to May 29, for further mention.
