A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, sent two farmers named Orshi Tyohemba and Johnpaul Agbanger to a correctional center. They are accused of committing armed robbery and kidnapping.
These farmers, who live in the Konshisha and Kwande local government areas, are facing serious charges such as working together to commit crimes, robbing with weapons, kidnapping, and acts of terror.
The News Agency of Nigeria says that the Chief Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongun, did not ask the farmers to plead guilty or not guilty because the court doesn’t have the authority to judge this case.
Judge Mbanongun set the next court date for August 5 for more discussions on the case.
Before this, the Prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Ato, explained to the court that Tyohemba and Agbanger, along with others who are still missing, kidnapped a woman named Mbazan Agwaza. This was reported by her son, Mlumun Sunday, at the Police Area Command in Gboko on April 15.
Inspector Ato also mentioned that the kidnappers took 8 million Naira from the woman before taking her to a secret place. The police caught Tyohemba and Agbanger during their investigation.
Ato pointed out that these crimes break several laws, including the Robbery and Firearm Act of 2004 and the Abduction and Hostage Taking Law of Benue from 2017.