Strange things are unearthing in Benue State where a state House of Assembly member representing Katsina-Ala State Constituency, Mr. Jonathan Agbidye of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been remanded in prison by a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and abduction.
The lawmaker was arraigned and remanded Friday alongside one Denen Zuamo of Katsina-Ala town for the alleged offenses. At the hearing, the Police Prosecuting Counsel, Mr. Fidelis Ogbobe told the court that on May 22, 2018, a Toyota Hilux van with registration number SWA-215-FM and other valuables belonging to Apin Public Health Initiatives was snatched at gunpoint along with Katsina/Ala – Tordonga road in Katsina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State to an unknown destination.
According to him, “during Police investigation, Mr. Agbidye and Zuamo of Katsina/Ala township were arrested with the said vehicle which had been re-registered with the number MKD-992-AD in Makurdi.” Ogbobe said police investigation further reveals that Messr. Agbidye, Zuamo, and others now at large who allegedly belong to a gang of armed robbers and terrorists headed by one wanted kingpin, Terwase Akwaza alias ‘Ghana’ conspired and snatched, robbed and also abducted the staff of Apin Public Health Initiatives.
He said, “the accused persons committed the offense contrary to section 1(2) A and B and section 6(b) of the Robbery and Fire Arms(Special Provisions) Act, 2004, and Hostage, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Law of Benue State, 2017.” Though no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction, the Prosecuting Counsel, told the court that investigation into the matter was ongoing and applied for another date to enable the police to complete their investigation.
Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Terhemen Aorabee did not oppose the application but informed the court that he would formally apply for the bail of his clients on another date. The trial Chief Magistrate adjourned the case to October 12, 2020, for further mention. Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the accused persons were being conveyed to the Federal Correctional Facility in Makurdi pending the application for their bail.
Recall that reports from Katsina-Ala before and during the elections alleged that notorious kingpin and wanted man, Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, who is also said to have strong links with APC allegedly sponsored Jonathan Agbidye for the election “to represent him” in the House.
Also recall that Governor Samuel Prtom was a member of the APC before he flipped and returned to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over political differences with APC chiefs in the State and Abuja.
Gana, it was rumoured, had threatened that anyone who contested and defeated Agbidye would not remain alive to enjoy his tenure in the Assembly.
As a result of Gana’s threat to kill, the PDP candidate in Katsina-Ala who contested against Agbidye refused to file a petition against INEC’s declaration of the APC candidate as winner of the election.
Information has it that someone (name withheld) wrote a petition to the Inspector-General of Police on the suspected criminal activities of Agbidye including his ties with Gana.
The IGP, acting on the petition, detailed his men who began to trail the Benue lawmaker till he was nabbed in possession of the said stolen hilux vehicle.
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Anene Sewuese Catherine, confirmed the presence of IGP IRT team but yet to get the full details.
“I can confirm the presence of IRT in Benue but not sure of the arrest yet. I will meet with the team leader to get the full details shortly,” she said.
Additional reports by Vanguard and Daily Post