A Makurdi, Benue State Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday remanded in prison a 17-year-old girl, Esther Alex, arraigned by the police for setting her boyfriend ablaze.
During her arraignment at Magistrate’s Court 8 located at North Bank, Makurdi, the first information report was read to the accused.
The FIR titled, ‘Mischief by Fire and Culpable Homicide’, read, “One Esther Alex ‘F’ of No. 1, Zaki Biam street, Wadata Makurdi went to the house of Mr Chidimma Omah ‘M’ 28 years old at No. 17, Yandev Street, Makurdi and poured petrol in it while he was asleep and set him ablaze.
“As a result, the room was engulfed in fire and burnt down the entire house, property value not yet known, together with Mr Chidimma Omah who sustained grave burns and subsequently died while receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Police prosecutor, Inspector, Dominic Ochaba who requested that the accused be remanded in the correctional centre, Makurdi said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing.
Counsel to the accused, S.O Obekpa, did not object to the prosecutor’s prayer but drew the attention of the court to the First Information Report.
The counsel requested for oral application to be made in respect of the FIR but was declined by the magistrate.
But Magistrate Regina Ochokwunu ordered that the accused be remanded in the correctional centre and adjourned the case to March 5, 2021.