A sitting high court judge, Justice Mary Abounu, who happens to be the wife of Benue State deputy governor, was on Wednesday held hostage in Makurdi, Benue State capital when about 10 gunmen stormed her court and two other courts in the city.
The gunmen shot into the air, causing panic in the capital city as residents fled in various directions for safety.
The courts invaded by the gunmen are, Benue State High Court 9, Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Upper Area Court.
Checkpointcharley gathers that the incident happened around 8am and the three courts were only roughly 500 meters away from the Benue State Police headquarters.
At the Benue State High Court 9 that the Presiding Judge, Justice Abounu, was already seated when the gunmen arrived and held her and the people in her court hostage.
Mr. Isaac Alim, a magistrate said, “Actually, the first court the hoodlums visited was the Magistrate’s Court 1. They broke into the courtroom and the chambers, where they carted away one computer, a printer, a generator as well as files for various cases.”
He added, “After the criminals were done with my court, they proceeded to High Court 9, presided over by the wife of the deputy governor, Justice Mary Abounu, and carted away a refrigerator, three stabilisers, a set of computer, window blinds and left behind empty bottles of drinks.”
At the Upper Area Court, the registrar, Mrs. Sarah Gboji, called the invaders robbers. “The thieves made away with N280,000.”
The criminals after they had wreaked havoc, locked the courtrooms with the padlocks they brought with them, it was gathered.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa, who confirmed the incident, condemned the act. He appealed to youths to always engage in meaningful ventures and stay away from criminality.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, also confirmed the invasion and said three security guards had already been invited for interrogation.
He assured that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to book.
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