A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 65-year-old farmer, Kyeruwa Kpela, in prison for alleged criminal conspiracy and setting 34 houses ablaze Kpela, of Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue, was charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and inciting disturbance.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim, who did not take plea of the accused, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison. Ajim also transferred the case to Magistrates’ Court 3 for further mention. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Ato, had told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Naka on July 3 to the State CID, Makurdi.

He said that one Cyprian Nyior of Mbachohon, Gwer-West reported the case at the Naka Police Station on June 29. Ato said Nyior told the police that one Orshoja Amulu with many others, including the defendant, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons attacked the families of Tse Ake and Tse-Nyior. The prosecutor said the complainant stated that the attackers set 34 thatched houses with property worth N5million belonging to the two families ablaze. He further informed the court that the action of the accused could cause the breach of public peace in the local government area.

Prosecutor said the accused was arrested during police investigation, while the gang leader, Amulu and many others were still at large. He said the offences contravened Sections 97, 338 and 116 of the Penal Code of Benue, 2004. Ato told the court that investigation was ongoing and applied for another date for further mention.