By David Mzer
A Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court Thursday remanded a 59-year-old man, Mr Kelvin Iorfa at the Federal Correctional Centre in Makurdi over alleged assault, attempt to commit culpable homicide, amongst other offences.
When the matter came up for mention, several lawyers stormed the court room and announced appearance for interested parties in the matter.
P.E Ula announced appearance for International Federation of Female Lawyers(FIDA), J.K Shembe for
Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Ushahemba Dekaa appeared for NBA HeForShe Network, Benue Chapter, while Hembafan Utange announced appearance for NBA Women Forum.
The first information report of the police which was read in court states that, On April 11, 2023 at about 1000hrs, one Jenkies Shande of KM 4 Gboko Road, Makurdi, reported at the Police Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi, stating that, on April 10th, 2023 at about 1900hrs while on Facebook, he noticed a video of one Mrs. Nguwasen Iorfa of Clerk quarters Makurdi where she was ruthlessly beaten to coma by one Kelvin Iorfa of same address,who was hitting her with objects on her head and other sensitive parts of her body until she became unconscious and he left her to her fate.
During police investion, the said Kelvin Iorfa was arrested and he confessed commiting the crime.
According to the police, the offence contravenes Section 266 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of
Benue State 2004.
No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
I.A Ututu who appeared for Mr Iorfa made an oral application for his(Iorfa) bail.
The Presiding Magistrate, R.S Iyorshe however asked Iorfa’s counsel to approach the court formally for the bail of his client.
The Police Prosecuting Officer, Inspector Ato Godwin informed the court that investigation into the matter was still on.
He asked the court for another date to enable the prosecution prove its case.
The Chief Magistrate, R.S. Iyorshe ordered that Mr Iorfa be remanded at the Federal Correctional Center in Makurdi, and adjourned the matter to June 8th, 2023, for further mention.
Reacting to the development, the Principal Special Assistant, PSA, to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Emmanual Agbakor advised all Benue people to desist from all forms of criminal acts as Governor Samuel Ortom under whose tenure the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2019 of Benue State was enacted is determined to stamp out violent and other crimes from the State.
