A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded 33-year-old Terhemen Lorlumun for alleged criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
The defendant, a farmer from Mbaagea Ikyurav-ya in Kwande Local Government Area, was arrested by men of the Benue Police Command following a tip-off.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Adah Jack, did not take the plea of the defendant due to lack of jurisdiction. She ordered that he be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Centre pending further investigation and adjourned the case to June 23 for mention.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector James Ewaoche, the case was reported by one Nule Desmond of Makurdi at the Adikpo Police Station.
The complainant stated that he hired a motorcyclist named Lorlaha Terungwa to take him to Jato-Aka via Ikyogen. He alleged that the motorcyclist conspired with Agusana Terkimbi and Terhemen Lorlumun and robbed him at gunpoint.
The robbers allegedly stole N1,000,000.00 in cash, a Nigerian Bar Association ID card, Union Bank ATM cards, a small handbag, a driver’s license, clothes valued at N15,000, a Tecno Spark 5 Pro phone valued at N54,000, a Tecno Spark 7 phone valued at N78,000, and gold valued at N840,000.00.
During police investigation, the defendant was arrested and found in possession of N22,300, a bag containing clothes, the motorcycle used in the crime, and a bag of charms. He reportedly confessed to selling the stolen gold to a man known as DJ Soul Man (real name unknown).
The prosecutor noted that investigations are still ongoing and requested a new date for the case to be mentioned.
He added that the offence contravenes Sections 6(b) and 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004.