by Oge Okonkwo

Kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Eziegbe and two other gang members, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh, have been brought before a  Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abuja for their alleged key-roles in the entire South-South region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Arraigned before Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu, the suspects were brought to the court yesterday under heavy security.

The charge sheet read: “That between February 2, 2012 and September 24, 2013 at Kokori, Asaba, Warri, Port Harcourt and Benin City, in Delta, Rivers and Edo states respectively, and along Benin-Abuja road, Abuja, FCT, you Kelvin Eziegbe, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh conspired with Rufus Ovwigho, Ese Oghenerojakor and others now at large to kidnap for ransom the persons of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Chudi Nwike (Dr), Hope Eghagha (Prof) and many others.

Leadership Newspapers reports:

“That you did ambush and attack a Federal Prisons vehicle conveying some members of your criminal gang which resulted in the death of some Police and Prisons officers.

“That you further conspired to unlawfully import prohibited firearms from Libya for the purpose of kidnapping, robbery and related criminal activities and you thereby committed the offence of (1) criminal intimidation punishable under Section 397 penal code, (2) kidnapping punishable under Section 274 penal code, (3) robbery punishable under Section 298 penal code, and (4) criminal conspiracy to commit felony punishable under Section 97 penal code.

All the accused persons pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.

After the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them, counsel to SSS, Mr. Charles Osagie told the court that they needed time because investigation into the activities of the alleged notorious kidnappers is still in progress and that they are about concluding it.

He also begged the court for an order to remand the accused in  custody pending conclusion of investigation.

However, counsel to the accused, J.O Eguere, told the court that he would file a formal motion for the bail of the suspected kidnappers. He opposed Osagie’s oral motion for an order of the court to remand them in SSS custody.

The judge remanded them in SSS custody to give the operatives time to conclude investigation in the matter.