Governor Ortom’s Special Adviser Remanded in Prison

Governor Ortom of Benue State

Joseph Ikyaagba, the special adviser on special duties to Governor Samuel Ortom, has been arraigned by the magistrate court in Makurdi presided over by Justice Theresa Wergba.

 Leadership reports that the suspect was arraigned on Monday, June 6, in connection to a gruesome murder of Denen Igbana, the senior special assistant to the governor on special security. Igbana, a retired police inspector, was killed by some notorious gunmen in his residence in Makurdi.

 Shortly after the incident, the police arrested the special adviser and seven others over the killing of the governor’s aide. The police had earlier refused to reveal the names of the suspects and the situation caused tension and fears in the state. During the yesterday’s hearing, Sgt. David Swende, the prosecuting police officer, said that the chairman of vigilante group in Tionsha village, where Igbana was murdered, had on May 20 reported at the police division that the deceased was trailed by unknown gunmen to his house while returning from work.

The complainant explained that gunmen opened fire on Igbana while he was driving in his car. He said the deceased had jumped down from his vehicle in an attempt to escape but the gunmen rained bullet at him until he fell down. The complainant further made a dying declaration that it was a notorious criminal “Ghana and the special adviser” that killed Igbana

 During the police investigation, a 57 year-old Ikyaagba was arrested for allegedly conspiring to criminally commit the offence, alongside others. It was gathered that the other prime suspect, Ghana, was at large. However, Justice Wergba stated that the accused was charged for culpable homicide punishable by death and ordered that Ikyaagba be remanded at the federal prison in Makurdi pending the completion of investigation. The case was adjourned till August 3 for hearing of any bail application.
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