A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday ordered that 11 cattle rearers be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Makurdi, for allegedly terrorising Benue communities.
The cattle rearers were Nanzir Ishaya, Suleiman Umaru, Yakubu Mallam, Dauda Abdulkarim, Manu Buhari, Haruna Abdulkarim, Ibrahim Mallam, Yunusa Waziri, Idi Usman, Adamu Manu and Abdullahi Wakili.
The defendants who live at various addresses in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue were charged with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, acts of terrorism, open grazing and being in possession of cattle suspected to be stolen.
However, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Kelvin Mbanongun, did not take their pleas for want of jurisdiction.
Mbanongun adjourned the matter until July 7, 2025, for further mention.
Earlier, prosecutor Insp. Godwin Ato told the court that on June 1, a team of policemen attached to Operation Zenda at Katsina-Ala received credible information that a group of armed bandits who were allies of the dreaded bandit leader, one Amakaa Akwaza, were sighted in their hideout at Nugu village with arms.
The prosecutor said that on receiving the information, a combined team of Operation Zenda and Benue State Civil Protection Guards led by Insp. Donald Ahulu were mobilised to the location of the hideout and engaged them in a gun battle.
Ato said the security operatives overpowered the suspected bandits in the fierce gun duel, which resulted in some of the fully armed bandits fleeing, and one AK-47 rifle with breech number 6189 with 16 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the scene.
He said the security operatives then arrested 10 of the suspected bandits while they were loading cattle suspected to be stolen into a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number TTM 405 XA, Taraba, and openly grazing with some of the cows on a nearby farm.
The prosecutor said further investigation led to the arrest of the chief of the Fulani people in Katsina-Ala, Wakili, who he said has been working closely with Akwaza in supplying arms to the herdsmen terrorising Benue and its environs.
The prosecutor said their offences contravened Sections 6(b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004; 19 of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue, 2017; and 321 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)
Federal High Court mourns ex-Chief Judge
The Federal High Court (FHC) on Thursday, extends condolences to the family, friends, and associates of its former Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Abutu.
The Chief Registrar of FHC, Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement in Abuja, said the court announced “with deep sorrow, the passing of” Abutu.
“According to family sources, he died on Tuesday after a brief illness.
“He hails from Kogi and was born on March 15, 1946.
“The Late Chief Judge served the court and the nation with distinction.
“He was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and administrative excellence.
“His leadership and contributions have left indelible marks on the judiciary and the legal community at large.
“The Federal High Court extends her heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and all who were touched by his exemplary life and service.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
In honour of his exemplary service and enduring legacy, all divisions of the federal high court are hereby directed to display a portrait of the late chief judge in a dignified and visible area within the respective court premises.”
Hassan said the court has ordered the immediate opening of condolence registers at all its divisions to allow judges, staff, members of the bar, and the general public to pay their tributes and express sympathies to the late Abutu.
He added that further details regarding funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.