The Plateau State Police Command has arraigned nine persons including a minor before the state High Court in Jos for allegedly attacking and killing commuters at Rukubu on April 15, 2021.
The prosecutor, Muleng Alex , Officer in charge of legal matters in Plateau state Police Command who said the offence was punishable with death according to section 188 and 189 of penal code of culpable homicide, told the court that one Solomon Dung ,a minor of 17 years old should be remanded in children custody at the correctional centre.
Alex, urged the court clerk to read the alleged offences committed by the defendants which was read to the accused persons and they all pleaded not guilty to committing the crimes. He sought the relief of the court to be given a short date to within which they would prove the allegation against the accused persons with the belief that they have been served with the motion.
Counsel to the accused persons Yakubu Bawa, in his submission opposed the four count charge read to the accused persons which he argued that the charge service was only effected on one person instead of all the accused persons.
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Bawa, made a passionate appeal to the court on the sixth defendant who is a minor, Master Solomon Dung aged 17 on the grounds that he was empowered by the provision of section 175 of the criminal Justice law of 2018.
He added that subsection C of the law under (1) A-C subsection C which application bound the court to release the 6 defendant on self recognition or to be entered by his parents /guardian showed that he was bound to secure his own release not to be taken to correctional centre.
The prosecutor however submitted that the section cut by the defendants counsel is a misconception that the section indicate that at a point of arrest not arraigned on culpable homicide where the minor committed the offense by urging the court to overruled and allow the 6 accused person to be taken to children centre at Laranto in Jos North where the children of his age are currently serving .
The presiding judge, Justice Ashom, after listening to both arguments adjourned the matter to October 13,2021 for indefinite hearing.
(Editor : Paul Akhagbemhe)
