Ex-Benue councillor remanded for allegedly pushing woman into fire

Ex-Benue councillor remanded for allegedly pushing woman into fire

A former councillor representing Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Ujah, has been remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over allegations of assault and attempted culpable homicide.

Ujah, 43, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force before the Upper Area Court 2 sitting in Otukpo on charges bordering on criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault causing grievous hurt, as well as attempted culpable homicide.

The case, marked CR33/2026, followed a petition filed by Rebecca Adole at the Area Commander’s Office of the Nigeria Police in Otukpo.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the alleged incident occurred on August 28, 2026, at Akwutulo, Awume, in Ohimini LGA.

The police alleged that Ujah trespassed into the compound of Adole’s mother, Amina Iduh, and assaulted her after she returned from the farm.

The FIR further alleged that the former councillor beat Iduh several times before pushing her into a fire, leaving her with injuries to her buttocks.

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The police also alleged that the woman’s clothes were burnt during the incident and that she was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyagede, Ohimini LGA, where she was receiving treatment.

According to the police report, the alleged attack was brought to the attention of Adole after she was contacted by her uncle’s son, Isaac Iduh, who reportedly informed her about what had happened to her mother.

The police further alleged that Ujah threatened to kill Iduh and told her that nobody would be able to stop him.

The allegations have not been established in court.

When the case came up for mention on Wednesday, September 2, Ujah pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, subsequently applied for bail on behalf of the former councillor.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the bail application.

After hearing the parties, the presiding magistrate, Hasia Garuba, ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The court adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026, for further mention.

The case has attracted attention because of the seriousness of the charges, particularly attempted culpable homicide, arising from the police allegation that the defendant pushed the woman into a fire.

The proceedings are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and whether the prosecution can establish the charges against the defendant.

For now, Ujah remains presumed innocent, as the allegations against him have yet to be proven before a competent court.

Ex-Benue councillor remanded for allegedly pushing woman into fire