9 more suspects for trial over killing of Gen. Alkali

Lukman Amusa

Nine more suspects are to be added to the nineteen accused persons standing trial for alleged murder of late Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali (Rtd).

They all facing a two-count charge of culpable homicide and conspiracy.

The Plateau Director of Public Prosecution (DPP),  Mr. Gidelia Fomyoltold Justice Daniel Longji of the State High Court sitting in Jos, while taking over the matter from the police.

The police command’s legal office was formerly led by Mr P.A Achoba.

Fomyol who made an Oral application to the court on taking over, informed the court that the state Attorney-general, Chrisantus Ahamadu, had directed the state Ministry of Justice to take over the case as all charges labelled against the accused persons were state offences.

Counsel to all the accused persons, Mr Yusuf Garba and C.O Okoro, had no objection to the application which they said had a legal backing of section 211 of the constitution, 1999 as amended and section 120 of the administration of Criminal Justice law of plateau state.

The DPP also informed the court that the former prosecutors had informed him of an application to amend a charge in the case and will therefore need a short adjournment date to enable him study the case, and the application for amendment of a charge in the matter.

Justice Daniel Longji observed that the court will be proceeding on Christmas break from Friday and said he would need permission of the Chief Judge of the State to seat during the break.

Longji adjourned the case until Dec. 17, to enable the DPP prepare his case and listen to the application for the amendment of a charge in the case and the application for bail of the accused persons.

The suspects were arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of Maj.- Gen. Idris Alkali (rtd) have been paraded by the police in Plateau state.

Alkali was declared missing on Sept. 3.

He had left Abuja and was on his way to Bauchi, via Jos. He never reached his destination.

On Sept. 29, his car and other personal effects were found in a pond in Dura-Du community of Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

General Alkali’s car found in the pond at Dura. Four other cars also found inside it

On October 31, the body of Alkali was found in an abandoned Well at Gushwet in Shen community of Jos South LGA and was buried by the military on Nov. 3 in Abuja.

According to Tyopev, the 19 suspects paraded include the 13 earlier handed over to the police command by the military, while the remaining six were among the eight the police declared wanted in connection with the crime.

He said two among the eight suspects declared wanted are still at large.

“On Oct. 17, the military handed over 13 suspects to us in connection with the disappearance and death of Maj. Gen. Idris Alkali (rtd).

“After a painstaking interrogation on Oct. 21 we also declared eight suspects wanted. Six out of the eight reported themselves to the police, but two are at large.

“So, the 19 suspects paraded today consist of the 13 handed over to us, and the six that reported themselves to us, ” he said.

The PPRO said the suspects were interrogated and found to have strong links with the crime, adding that they would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

He said efforts are being intensified to ensure the two remaining suspects are arrested.