Friday, August 21, 2026 - 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.
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