The Police Command in Benue on Wednesday arraigned Chiahemba Sende, Shiekuma Akaajime and Msonter Kpakpa at the Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court 6 for alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass and abduction.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Stella Ngbede, told the court that the case was transferred from Police Area Command GRA, Gboko, to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi via a letter No. AR:3100 BNS/GB/AC/VOL.11/246 dated Nov. 28.
Ngbede said that one Mr Bem Kwaghgbe, a worker at Omega Children Academy Gboko South, Gboko LGA, reported the case at the Area Command Headquarters, Gboko on Nov. 24
She said the informant averred that a four years old boy, Orjighjigh Tyovera, was a pupil in their school and under the direct custody of Mrs Christable Ahenimo, his class teacher.
She said that on Nov. 21, Orjighjigh Tyovera was brought to the school by his Guardian Joseph Sende and after closing hours, the pupil was no where to be found.
She said the class teacher was called for questioning and she claimed to have handed over the pupil to a family member of the pupil.
She said after some days, phone number 07082644902 was used to demand ramson N5m from the guardian.
She said the abductor later reduced the ramsom down to N4.5m, adding that at that point the Police swung into action and recovered the pupil.
The Prosecutor said during Police investigation, Chiahemba Sende, Shiekuma Akaajime and Msonter Kpakpa, all of various addresses in Gboko, were arrested for committing the crime.
She said the accused contravened the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004 and the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State 2017.
Ngbede said investigation into the matter was still ongoing and requested for additional time to complete it.
However, when the case came up for mention, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
The Magistrate, Mrs chirtsy Okpe, remanded the accused at the Federal Correctional Centre Makurdi and adjourned the case to Feb. 6, 2023 for further mention.