Court Remands Farmers For Desecrating Church

A chief magistrate’s court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of four farmers at the Makurdi correctional center for allegedly desecrating a church.

The accused-Tever Ikyer, Tseyina Imbur, Tsavbee Akombu, and Orshi Atule- face multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, trespass, defilement of a place of worship, acts of terrorism, and threats of hostage-taking.

Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun did not take their pleas due to a lack of jurisdiction, adjourning the case until December 19 for further proceedings.

Prosecutor Insp. Godwin Ato informed the court that a letter of complaint from elders of the N.K.S.T Church in Guma, led by Samuel Gbinde, was received by the state commissioner of police on October 23.

The letter detailed an incident in September when six individuals armed with weapons invaded the church during an annual congress, shooting into the air, scattering the congregation, and stealing the offerings collected that day.

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The complaint also stated that on October 16 and October 26, the same group invaded the church during a men’s fellowship service, bringing with them criminal charms in a clay pot and bags of human feces, which they smeared on the altar and in the auditorium.

The invaders reportedly smashed the clay pot of charms on the altar and threatened to kidnap the pastor and worshippers if they returned to the church.

According to the prosecutor, the suspects were arrested following a police investigation and voluntarily confessed to the crimes, while others involved remain at large.

The charges filed against them violate sections 97, 349, and 212 of the Penal Code Law of Benue, 2004, as well as sections 4(2) and 7 of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult, and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law of Benue, 2017.