Court Sentences Tor Tiv Impostor to Four Years in Prison

George Okoh

A Chief Magistrate Court in Gboko presided over by Mr. P. S Chaha yesterday sentenced an impostor who mysteriously defied all security and protocol deployed during the coronation of the Tor Tiv, Dr. James Ayatse in Gboko last weekend to four years in prison.

The court held that the 30-yearold Stephen Nyitse, who sat on the Tor Tiv’s throne shortly before the new king was installed was guilty of trespass and impersonating the new Tor Tiv, Ayatse.

According to the prosecution, the convict made confessional statement to the police during interrogation that he was under an evil spell to do what he did on that day.

Chaha described the action as a disgrace to the Tiv nation for which he deserved no mercy, and sentenced him as a deterrent to others.

Nyitse who hails from Oshungu Local Government Area had claimed initially that the thrown belongs to him and warned against some consequences should any action be taken to punish him.

During interrogation, Nyitse said he was prompted by God to cleanse the stool for the new king.

“I sat on the stool in order to cleanse it and make it comfortable for the incoming Tor Tiv,” he said.

Brig-General Atom Kpera (rtd), the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the coronation, who was present at the scene, ordered security men to take him outside and punish him.