Three arraigned in court for raping medical doctor’s wife in Benue

A High court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State capital has remanded in prison two suspected armed robbers and rapists who allegedly raped wife of a medical doctor and lecturer (names withheld) at the Benue State University
Three suspects were arraigned yesterday: Terseer Tersoo, Iornegene Jijingi and Gbanwuan Uhentsev.

The presiding judge, Elizabeth Kpojime ordered that the 2nd and 3rd accused persons Iornegene Jinjingi and Gbanwuan Uhentsev be remanded in prison custody while she granted bail to the first accused on the ground of health problem.

The suspects were accused of abducting and raping a wife of a popular medical doctor and lecturer but who did not want his name mentioned.

During the hearing of the case on Wednesday, the Police prosecutor, Inspector Peter Baaki told the court that the accused persons in their statements confessed and admitted to have committed the crime.

Our correspondent reports that the lawyers and prosecutors handling the case adopted and submitted the written statement made by the accused persons during police investigation as plea before the Court for further hearing.

The Inspector in his submission said that he didn't threaten or force the accused before the statement was taken, stressing that the accused made the statement under conducive environment without interference.

According to Inspector Baaki, a police informant had, on September 21st, 2015 called to inform the Area C divisional Police office North Bank, Makurdi that a gang of armed men broke into a residence belonging to a lecturer and a medical doctor at Nyion Layout of Makurdi and robbed, raped and abducted a woman from the compound.

He said: "we went into action and thereafter intercepted and apprehended all the suspects in a Peugeot 406 at Keana local government area of Nasarawa state, and rescued the victim and also recovered weapons including guns, Samsung handsets, two mask tape, two pairs of shoes, one iron cutter from the three suspects."

The first accused person, Tersoo Terseer during his statement of defence, denied making the statement recorded by the police during the preliminary investigation, stating that even though he might have made it, it was done under duress.

However, counsels to the accused person, Terkuma Iorgee, said: "I objected to the confessional statement because my client confined in me that the statement was recorded under duress."

Consequently the state prosecuting counsel, Simon Egede said that, "it is strange for the accused to deny his confessional statement, and I insist that the statement was genuine and professionally done before a senior police officer, which was read and confirmed by him before he voluntarily and willingly signed it, urging the court to admit as evidence."

After the plea, Egede, asked for a date for commencement of trial within trial, and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody except Terseer Tersoo who was granted bail on health ground having be operated upon.

However, the defense counsel, Terkuma Iorgee, urged the court to accede to the plea "to enable the defendants prepare for his trial."

Justice Elizabeth Kpojime however adjourned the case to April 10, 2017 for further hearing and continuation of trial within trial.