Benue Court Remands Farmer Over Alleged Abduction, Trafficking of 14-Year-Old Boy

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the remand of a 38-year-old farmer, Aondowase Bebeshi, over allegations that he abducted and trafficked a 14-year-old boy from Jato-Aka to Benin City.

Bebeshi, who lives opposite Township Hall in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area, is facing charges relating to the alleged abduction and trafficking of the teenager.

During proceedings on Tuesday, the defendant’s plea was not taken because the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. Chief Magistrate W.A. Orgba consequently ordered that Bebeshi be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Centre pending legal advice.

The prosecutor, Inspector Jonah Uletu, told the court that Bebeshi allegedly took the boy from Jato-Aka to Benin City without the knowledge or consent of his father, identified as Terfa Maya.

Uletu said Maya reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Jato-Aka after his son failed to return home from school. The teenager had reportedly left for Holy Family Secondary School, Jato-Aka, on October 14, 2024, but did not come back.

According to the prosecutor, the father’s efforts to locate his son were unsuccessful until he received information that Bebeshi had allegedly taken the boy to Benin City. Uletu further claimed that Maya’s attempts to persuade the defendant to return the teenager were unsuccessful.

The prosecutor added that police officers later arrested Bebeshi, who allegedly admitted to the offence during interrogation. The claims have not been established in court, and the defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The alleged offences are punishable under Section 13 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and Section 274 of the Benue State Penal Code Law, 2004.

The court adjourned the case until November 16 for mention, while Bebeshi remains in custody pending further legal advice.