June 15, (THEWILL) – A High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue state, has sentenced two brothers, Aondoseer Chinyam alias ‘choppy’ and Orduen Chinyam, both of No.14, Naka street, Ankpa ward Makurdi, for attacking one Chief Boniface Azaor and his son, Stephen and pouring acid on them sometimes in March, 2018.
Delivering judgement in a suit filed by the State against the convicts, the presiding Judge, Justice Samson Itodo, said prosecution, which called three witnesses including the victim, Chief Azaor, who is now blind as a result of the acid poured on his face, have proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt to warrant conviction.
The trial judge stated that the convicts who testified in defence called one witness and denied the charge preferred against them, saying they were only lying before the court as evidence showed that they actually committed the offence.
The case was, however, adjourned for sentencing on 1st July, 2022.
In a related development, a 30-year-old Adikpo based motorcycle operator, Manasseh Iortswam, has been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court on two-count charge of rape and criminal intimidation of a 17-year-old girl.
Prosecuting Police Officer, Inspector Ujata, told the court that the family of the victim reported to the police that the accused conveyed her on his motorcycle to Hausa quarters, but rather dragged her into a room and allegedly raped her and further threatened to send her pictures on social media, if she disclosed what took place between them.
During a police investigation, the accused was arrested and allegedly confessed to the commission of the offence.
No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction, while prosecution stated that investigation was still in progress and asked for another date.
Counsel to the accused person, Barr F.M Taakpe, did not oppose the application for adjournment and pledged to apply for his client’s bail formally.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Regina Alashi, ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi and adjourned the case to 12th July, 2022 for further mention.
