Court remands man for allegedly poisoning two children to d3ath in Benue

A Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Wednesday ordered that Utim Ukerchia be remanded in a correctional centre for allegedly causing the d3ath of two children in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State

The police charged Ukerchia with culpable homicide and acts of terrorism. 

Magistrate, Mrs N.E. Kaka’an, did not take the plea of the defendant for want 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 still 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, according to the police, became sick after consuming the food and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

The police said two of the children later d!ed.

According to the police, Ukerchia allegedly made a voluntary confession during investigation, while the surviving victims identified him as the person who allegedly poisoned the food.

The offences, the police said, 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.