The Plateau State Police Command has commenced the prosecution of 22 individuals arrested in connection with the brutal killing of 13 wedding guests who were attacked in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which occurred on June 20, involved a mob assault on a bus conveying passengers from Kaduna State to a wedding ceremony in Kwa village, Qua’anpan LGA. The victims, mostly from Zaria, were reportedly travelling in a 32-seater bus when they lost their way and ended up at the Mangun market square, where they were attacked by a violent mob.
Addressing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Jos on Thursday, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, confirmed that investigations into the attack had been concluded and that the suspects were being charged to court.
Following the announcement, the suspects were arraigned before Justice Boniface Ngyon at Court 10 of the Plateau State High Court on Thursday. The prosecuting counsel, S.I. Ikutanwa, had asked the court to allow the suspects take their plea on a four-count charge.
However, defence counsel Garba Pwol objected, stating that two of the suspects were minors, aged 13 and 17, making the charges legally defective for those individuals. He requested time to file a formal objection.
In response, the prosecution suggested that the names of the minors be struck out and the plea of the remaining 20 suspects be taken. After considering both arguments, Justice Ngyon ruled that the plea should be deferred.
“It is safer to delay plea-taking until the prosecution amends the charges,” the judge stated.
He ordered the remand of all 22 accused persons in police custody and adjourned the case to Friday, July 11, to allow for amended charges excluding the minors.
