A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday ordered that a 28-year old businessman, David Akenawe be remanded in a correction centre for allegedly kidnapping a 65-year-old woman, Gloria Enemua.
Akenawe who lives at Ikpayongo in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue is charged with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping.
However, the Magistrate, Vincent Kor, did not take the plea of Akenawe for want in jurisdiction.
Kor adjourned the matter until Oct 14 for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato told the court that the case was received at the State CID, Makurdi on Nov 3, 2020 via a letter dated same Nov 3, 2020.
Ato said the letter stated that the son of the victim, Austin reported the case at the ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi on Oct 26, 2020.
He said an informant alleged that on Oct 26, 2020, some armed hoodlums numbering five, invaded his residence at NITEL office, Wurukum, Makurdi.
He said the informant told the police that the armed hoodlums shot sporadically in the air, robbed him of two Samsung cell phones and kidnapped his 65-year old mother in her Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number YAB 116 KP to an unknown destination.
He stated further that the kidnappers held his mother hostage for three days and collected ransom before releasing her.
Ato said Akenawe, who is a member of the gang was arrested during police investigation for committing the crime while others are still at large.
The offence, he said, contravenes the provisions of Sections 6(b)(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and 3(2) and 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Laws of Benue, 2017.
