A 40-year-old traditional ruler of Ansha-Mbakule Village, Jacob Pinen, on Thursday, appeared before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged murder of a 75-year-old man, Igbayima Iorshagher.

The traditional ruler, who is standing trial along with his brother, Emmanuel Pinen, is facing charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

According to the First Information Report, the case was transferred from Konshisha Divisional Police Headquarters, Tse-Agberagba on August 7 to State CID, Makurdi through a letter and was endorsed for investigation.

The FIR stated that one Orhungur lorshagher reported at Tse-Agberagba Police Station on August 3, that his brother was murdered.

The FIR said, “The complainant stated that on August 1, the defendants and one Aondowase lorkyaa, all of Ansha-Mbakule village in the Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, conspired with others, lured the deceased, who was his elder brother, to an herbal doctor for treatment and attacked him at Bar Bridge. He said that at the bridge linking Ansha Community to Korinya city, the attackers inflicted degrees of injuries on his brother which led to his death.’’

The Prosecutor, Inspector Friday Kanshio, told the court that the defendants were consequently arrested while Iorkyaa and others were still at large.

Mr Kanshio said that the offences contravened Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

The prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was still ongoing and asked sought adjournment.

When the case was mentioned, the Chief Magistrate, Kevin Mbanongun, however, did not take the pleas of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

The chief magistrate then granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million on self-recognition.

He adjourned the matter until October 2, for further mention.

(NAN)