50-yr-old farmer held in court for raping woman in Benue

A 50-year-old farmer, Gbaeren Aduu has been remanded at the Police Detention Facility on the orders of a Makurdi Chief Magistrate for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a middle-aged woman without her consent.

Police Prosecutor told the court that the victim (name withheld) had on July 1, 2020 reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi in May, 2020 that the incident occurred when she went for treatment of stroke in the house of one Apollos Jiki of Achia, Ikurav- ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The court heard that the said Apollos went and invited one Gbaeren Adu to come and treat the complainant and that on June 20,at about 9pm, Apollos Jiki conspired with Gbaeren Adu and entered her room, held her and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

Prosecution also told the court during Police investigation that the said Gbaeren Aduu was arrested for committing the crime, contrary to section 97 and 284 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State, 2004.

But, the prosecution further told the court that the second suspect, Apollos Jiki is still at large.

When the case came up, no plea was taken.

The prosecution then asked for another date as investigation into the matter was still on.

The trial Magistrate, Mercy Igbadu, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Police detention facility and adjourned the case to September 17, 2020 for further mention.

COVID-19: Benue index case threatens to sue FG if she is not released within 7 days

The Benue state COVID-19 index case, has threatened to sue the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC if she is not released from the Abuja isolation center within the next seven days.

Idoko has been having a faceoff with the government since she was diagnosed with the virus. She has been in isolation for 53 days now without showing any symptoms of the disease. She insists she doesn't have the virus.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire on Wednesday, said Mrs. Idoko had refused to let the NCDC and other medical personnel  take her samples so they can do a final test on her before she is discharged

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday May 15, her lawyer, Mr. Steven Eke said his client has lost confidence in the capabilities of the NCDC. He said Mrs. Idoko demands an independent test to be conducted by the World Health Organization under the supervision of the British High Commission and her personal physician.

The lawyer said the continued detention of Mrs. Idoko,  in the name of isolation is a clear violation of her fundamental human rights and that she will head to court if it persists.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health., Osagie Ehanire, at the daily press briefing of the Presidential Task Force in Abuja on Friday, May 14, said he has persuaded Mrs. Idoko to consent to being tested. He says her sample has been taken and the result will be out in a couple of days.