Former Benue councilor remanded for assaulting elderly woman and pushing her into a fire

Friday, September 4, 2026 - Daniel Ujah, a former councillor in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, has been remanded in the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged assault and torture of a woman by pushing her into fire. 

Ujah, 43, a former councillor representing Awume-Icho Ward, was arraigned before the Upper Area Court 2, Otukpo, in a case marked CR33/2026, between the Commissioner of Police and Daniel Ujah. 

The police, in the First Information Report (FIR), accused the former councillor of criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt and attempting to commit culpable homicide. 

According to the FIR, the incident occurred on August 28, 2026, when Ujah allegedly trespassed into the compound of Amina Iduh at Akwutolo Awume village and subjected her to severe beating. 

The police further alleged that the defendant pushed the woman into a fire, resulting in injuries to her body, while her clothes were also burnt. 

The victim was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyangede, Ohimini LGA, where she was receiving treatment, according to the police report. 

The police also alleged that Ujah threatened that if he k!lled the woman, nobody could stop him. 

When the matter came up Wednesday, September 2, for mention before His Worship Hasia Garuba, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations. 

His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held briefs for P.O. Ella applied for bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the application. 

Ruling on the bail application, the court ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre. 

The case was adjourned until September 22, 2026, for further mention.