Court jailed 2 students over suspected armed robbery and killing of Benue university student 

On Monday, March 13, 2023, Makurdi Magistrate’s Court detained two students, Ugosor Japhet and Gwebe Ageba, over reported armed robbery and culpable murder.

The defendants were apprehended for reportedly murdering Erkaa Naomi Dooshima, a student of the Benue State University.

Mrs Erdoo Ter, the magistrate, did not accept the suspects’ plea for want of jurisdiction.

While investigations into their crimes is ongoing, she commanded the suspects to be remanded in Makurdi Correctional Centre.

For further reading, Ter adjourned the case till April 12, 2023.

On February 21, 2023, the court was told by the Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Regina Ishaya, that the case was reported by one Erkaa Reuben, of Logo II, Akpehe, Makurdi, at ‘E’ Divisional police station, Makurdi.

According to Ishaya, Ugosor Japhet had falsely collected N150,000 as an advance payment for housing rent from the accused’s sister, Naomi Erkaa.

She said that the money was wired into the accused’s Access Bank account number: 0765804017.

Meanwhile, upon the receipt of the money, the suspect collaborated with the second suspect and unscrupulously convinced the victim to his place under the guise of giving her the apartment keys, the police prosecutor said.

Furthermore, he further added that when the deceased arrived to the first suspect’s apartment, both suspects attacked her with a cutlass and slashed her hands, neck, and head, causing her to bleed to death.

In her words, Ishaya said;

“The defendants then secretly moved the corpse of the deceased, striped her naked, hid her under a heap of yam tendrils and disposed her of her cosmetic bag, Itel handset and Iphone, with values yet unknown.

“During police investigation, the defendants were arrested and confessed to committing the crime.” 

The investigation into the matter was still ongoing and prayed the court for adjournment of the case till another day for hearing, Ter said.

According to her, the crimes contravene Section 1(3) of Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code, Law of Benue State, 2004 and Section 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, 2004.