Former Benue councillor remanded over alleged torture, attempted murder of woman

By Johnson Arua

A former councillor representing Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Ujah, has been remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over allegations of torture, assault and attempted culpable homicide.

Ujah, 43, was arraigned before the Upper Area Court 2, Otukpo, on a First Information Report (FIR) marked CR33/2026, filed by the Nigeria Police.

The police accused the former councillor of criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt, as well as an attempt to commit culpable homicide.

According to the FIR, the case followed a petition by Rebecca Adole, who alleged that Ujah trespassed into the compound of her mother, Amina Iduh, at Akwutolo Awume village on August 28, 2026.

The police alleged that Ujah repeatedly assaulted Iduh before pushing her into a fire, causing injuries to her body and burning her clothes.

The victim was reportedly rushed to a hospital in Onyangede, Ohimini LGA, where she received medical treatment for injuries allegedly sustained during the incident.

The police further alleged that Ujah threatened that “if he killed the woman, nobody could stop him.”

When the matter came up for mention on Wednesday before the court presided over by Magistrate Hasia Garuba, Ujah pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Rev. Simon, who held brief for Paul Ella, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant.

However, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the bail application and urged the court to reject the request.

In her ruling, Magistrate Garuba ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

She adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026, for further mention.

Ujah remains presumed innocent of the allegations until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.