Benue court remands clan head over alleged armed robbery

A Makurdi High Court has remanded Chief Amedu Ekpe, the clan head of Ai-Ode Upu in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, over alleged armed robbery.

Chief Ekpe is standing trial alongside two others, Inalegwu Adakole and Ebiega Aboje Ikwue, on a six-count charge that also includes illegal possession of firearms, mischief, criminal intimidation and attempted kidnapping.

No plea was taken following a request by their counsel to file a preliminary objection to the charges.

The trial judge, Justice Franca Yua, granted the application and adjourned the case until July 21.

According to the charges filed by the Benue State Police Command, the clan head allegedly led more than 20 youths or gang members on March 1 to attack the family of Chief Daniel Ekah and disrupt the funeral of their late father, Onche Ekah.

The defendants were also alleged to have destroyed food and drinks meant for the burial ceremony and held mourners attending the funeral hostage for more than three hours.