Two Benue PDP chieftains remanded in prison for defamation, cybercrime

Two Benue PDP chieftains remanded in prison for defamation, cybercrime

A Benue State High Court sitting in Markudi, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Isaac Mffo and Bemgba Lortyom, in the Markudi Correctional Centre.

Mffo was the deputy chairman of the party while Lortyom was the party’s state publicity secretary.

Justice Kelvin Mbanongon, in his ruling, ordered they be remanded in custody over allegations of criminal conspiracy, cyber crimes and defamation of characters of Prof. Nicholas Ada, High Chief Terngu Tsegba and former Benue Assembly Speaker, Terseer Tsumba.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution, C.N. Agudu, said the duo accused Prof. Nicholas Ada, High Chief Terngu Tsegba and former Benue Assembly Speaker Terseer Tsumba, of disrupting the peace or the PDP in the state, going as far as sponsoring thugs to disrupt Ward Congresses, which were supposed to take effect in the state.

READ ALSO:

• Two BRT buses collide in Lagos, many passengers injured (photos)
• Four Nigerians jailed in UK for forging 2,000 marriage documents
• Protests as 70,000 international students face deportation in Canada

They also alleged that the trio had in 2023 embezzled funds meant for the conduct of elections in Benue State.

Counsel for the defendants, A.U. Gar pleaded that the court should grant his client bail on self-recognition adding that they will always be available for their case.

However, Agudu opposing the bail application, said the weight of the accusations was too heavy to be easily taken for granted.

Justice Mbanongon concurred that the allegations bordering on Cyber Crimes should not be taken lightly and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Màkurdi Correctional Center in Màkurdi while an investigation into the matter continues.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 15th, 2024 for further mention of the case.

Two Benue PDP chieftains remanded in prison for defamation, cybercrime