A high court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of Chief Amedu Ekpe, clan head of Ai-Ode Upu in Otukpo Local Government Area, pending trial on armed robbery charges. He faces the allegations alongside Inalegwu Adakole and Ebiega Aboje Ikwue.
The three defendants are accused of six offences including illegal firearm possession, mischief, criminal intimidation and attempted kidnapping. Justice Franca Yua presided over the proceedings.
The court did not take pleas after their lawyer sought permission to file a preliminary objection to the charges. The judge approved the request and scheduled the next hearing for July 21.
According to the Benue State Police Command, the clan head allegedly mobilised over 20 youths on March 1 to raid the family of Chief Daniel Ekah. The attack disrupted the funeral of Onche Ekah, the family patriarch.
The accused men allegedly destroyed food and beverages prepared for the burial rites, according to court documents. They also held funeral attendees hostage for more than three hours, prosecutors claimed.
