By Abimbola Ogunnaike
A Chief Magistrates’ Court presided over by Mrs. Roseline Iyorshe in Makurdi, Benue State on Thursday, April 13, 2023 has remanded a 59-year-old clergyman, Kelvin Iorfa, in a correction centre for alleged assault.
It was reported that the 59-year-old church deacon was seen in a viral video brutally beating his sister, Mrs. Nguwasen Iorfa. He used what looked like a belt to whip the young woman until she fell to the ground.
Iorfa then used a travelling bag to hit the lady until she fell and became unconscious. Even then, he kept kicking her and screaming at her as she lay on the ground.
The police charged Iorfa with assault and attempted culpable homicide. The Magistrate, Iyorshe, did not take the plea of Iorfa for want in jurisdiction. Iyorshe ordered the police to return the case file to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Godwin Ato told the court that the case was reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi by Jenkies Shade of KM 4 Gboko Road, Makurdi on April 11.
Ato alleged that on April 10, Shade reported that Iorfa ruthlessly brutalised his older sister, Nguwasen of Clerk Quarters, Makurdi.
“He hit her with an object on her head and other sensitive parts of her body until she became unconscious,” the prosecutor said.
Following the petition, the prosecutor told the court that police detectives arrested Iorfa and he confessed to the crime.
According to Ato, the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 266 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004. The prosecutor, who said investigation into the matter was still ongoing, prayed for an adjournment.
Meanwhile, in his statement the suspect confessed that he had a heated argument with his younger sister, and it provoked him to beat her up that much.
Iyorshe adjourned the case until June 8, for further hearing.
