Court Remands Man Over Alleged Poisoning That Killed Two Children In Benue.

 

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the remand of a man, Utim Ukerchia, over allegations that he poisoned food consumed by several children, resulting in the deaths of two of them.

Ukerchia was arraigned before the court on Wednesday on charges bordering on culpable homicide and acts of terrorism.

The police alleged that the incident occurred on May 13 in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of the state, where the defendant allegedly poisoned garri and gave it to a four-year-old girl.

The girl was said to have unknowingly eaten the food alongside her siblings and six other children, after which they reportedly fell ill and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

According to the prosecution, two of the children later died.

The police further told the court that Ukerchia allegedly made a voluntary confession during the investigation, while the surviving children reportedly identified him as the person who gave them the poisoned food.

However, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs N.E. Kaka’an, did not take the defendant’s plea, citing lack of jurisdiction over the matter.

The court consequently ordered that Ukerchia be remanded in a correctional centre and directed the police to forward the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Godwin Ato, informed the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested an adjournment.

The case was adjourned until October 2 for further mention.

The alleged offences are punishable under Sections 222 and 230 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State, 2004, as well as Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Other Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State, 2017.