A man identified as Vihishima Iorshase,31, has been arraigned by the Benue State Police Command before a Makurdi Upper Area Court in Benue State for alleged culpable homicide.
The accused is also facing charges of mischief by force with intent to cause damage and destruction.
Police prosecutor, Omaye Ujata told the court that the case was first handled by Naka Police Division, before it was transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department on April 26.
Ujata said the police had received a complaint from one Donald Ikpum of Gyaluwa village, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue, that the accused had trespassed into his farm.
He told the court that the complainant had alleged that Iorshase while on the farm cut 400 tubers of yam into pieces belonging to Nguhegh Igom, the complainant’s wife.
“After destroying 400 tubers of yams in the farm, the accused also set ablaze the complainant’s wife round thatched house and all the property therein were burnt to ashes.
“The complainant’s little son, Oryiman Angboor, 5, was also burnt to death in the inferno,”she said.
The prosecutor said that the accused was later arrested during police investigation and he voluntarily confessed to the crime.
Ujata said that the offences contravened Sections 329, 337, 338 and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004.
The prosecutor, however, pleaded with the court for more time to enable the police complete investigation into matter.
The plea of the accused was not taken for want of jurisdiction, but the magistrate ordered Iorshase to remanded in Makurdi Prisons.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Mohammed, adjourned the case till June 7, for further mention
