Security & Crime
Witness acknowledges reliance on lawyer’s information in Benue land dispute case
In a recent hearing at the Benue State High Court in Makurdi, witness Abraham Uwua made a surprising admission. Uwua revealed that his testimony was actually based on information he had received from his lawyer.
This revelation came to light during a suit filed by Uwua, alongside Terlumun Tyav, Terwase Zeku, and Pastor Cyprian Terwase against Peter Adejoh, Engr Mike Jijingi, the Government of Benue State, Commissioner for Land & Solid Minerals, Benue State, and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Benue State.
Uwua, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Doowuese Adike, confirmed that all the information in his witness statement was indeed provided by the lawyer appointed by the community to negotiate compensation with the Benue State Government regarding their land.
Another witness, Zaki Gabriel Yagba, also provided a statement claiming that Adejoh and officials from the Benue State Government had brought police to forcefully remove them from the disputed land.
However, during cross-examination, Yagba contradicted himself, casting doubt on the accuracy of his initial statement.
He stated in court that he never saw Adejoh or Benue State Government representatives on their community land with police or security guards.
When the Power of Attorney handed to Barrister Mbafan Ekpendu to represent the community in the discussions was revealed to Yagba, who claimed in his witness statement to be one of those who signed it, he was unable to identify his signature.
Following the two witnesses’ testimony—bringing the total number of witnesses the plaintiffs had called to four—they closed their case.
The case was postponed until July 11, 2024, so that the accused may begin their defence, according to presiding judge Justice Tertsea Kume.
