A magistrate court in Kogi State has remanded two farmers, Innocent German and Benjamin Echekwe both 25 years in prison custody for alleged conspiracy and killing of a fisherman, Peter Akwayi, with a dane gun.
Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku issued the remand order in his ruling on arraignment of the accused on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Charged with Criminal Conspiracy and Culpable Homicide contrary to sections 97(1) and 221(a) of the Penal Code the accused were said to have committed the offence at Elele Village in Ibaji Local Government on March 19.
The prosecuting police officer, Insp. Friday Shaibu told the court that one Friday David of Elele Village reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Onyedega.
He alleged that on the fateful day at about 7:20pm, while the deceased was fishing in Aji-Ojua River, the accused criminally conspired, armed themselves with a dane gun, attacked and shot Akwayi dead.
Shaibu added that German of Elle and Echekwe of Ogbeju-Ibaji, both farmers, thereafter dumped the corpse of the deceased in the bush and covered it with leaves.
He said that Police investigation into the complaint led to the arrest of the accused.
The prosecution further told the court that investigation was still on and applied for another day for mention.
“I object to their bail. We ask for a Custodian Order to remand the defendants at the Federal Prisons Idah”, he pleaded.
In his ruling, Animoku described culpable homicide as the highest crime known to “Our laws.”
He said that bail in such matters was not granted as a matter of course in spite of the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The offence alleged against them under Section 221 of the Penal Code is a fearful one. So, the defendants shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Idah”, he said.
Animoku therefore transferred the case to Chief Magistrate Court, Idah and adjourned to April 24 for mention.
