A Makurdi Magistrate’s Court has remanded two students, Ugosor Japhet, and Gwebe Ageba over allegations of negligent homicide and armed theft, on Monday, March 13, 2023.
The defendants were detained after being accused of murdering Erkaa Naomi Dooshima, a student at Benue State University.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Erdoo Ter, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.
As further inquiries into their offenses were being made, she ruled that the suspects should remain in custody at Makurdi Correctional Center. Ter then put the matter on hold until April 12, 2023, so it could be discussed further.
The crime was reported by one Erkaa Reuben of Logo II, Akpehe, Makurdi, at “E” Divisional Police Station, Makurdi, on February 21, 2023, according to Police Prosecutor Sgt. Regina Ishaya, who testified in court.
Ishaya claimed that Ugosor Japhet had illegally obtained N150,000 as a rent deposit from the complainant’s sister, Naomi Erkaa.
According to her, the funds were deposited into the defendant’s Access Bank account.
The police counsel added that the defendant, after receiving the money, conspired with the second defendant and deceitfully enticed the victim to his home under the pretense of handing her the apartment’s keys.
The victim was assaulted with a cutlass and suffered severe wounds to her wrists, neck, and head when she arrived at the home of the first defendant, the witness continued, causing her to bleed to death.
The defendants then covertly relocated the deceased’s body, stripped her nude, buried her beneath a mass of yam tendrils, and dumped her cosmetic bag, Itel phone, and iPhone, all of which had undetermined values.
The suspects were detained and made confessions to committing the crime, she said, during the course of the police probe.
Ter requested an adjournment of the case until a later date so that it can be discussed, stating that the inquiry into the issue was still continuing.
She claims that the crimes violate Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 2006, Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code of the Law of Benue State of 2004, and Sections 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act of 2004.
