A Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday ordered that Utim Ukerchia be remanded in a correctional centre over the alleged poisoning that caused the deaths of two children in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area.
The police charged Ukerchia with culpable homicide and acts of terrorism.
Magistrate N.E. Kaka’an did not take the defendant’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction and directed the police to return the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
She adjourned the matter until October 2 for further mention.
The prosecution counsel, Insp. Godwin Ato, told the court that investigation into the matter was ongoing and requested an adjournment.
The police alleged that Ukerchia poisoned garri on May 13 and gave it to a four-year-old girl, who unknowingly consumed it alongside her siblings and six other children.
The children reportedly became sick after consuming the food and were rushed to hospital for treatment, but two of them later died.
According to the police, Ukerchia allegedly made a voluntary confession during the investigation, while the surviving victims identified him as the person who allegedly poisoned the food.
The offences are punishable under Sections 222 and 230 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004, and Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Other Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.
