15th July, 2011
Two suspected kidnappers, Ifeanyi Onuoha, 29 and one Pastor Wisdom Matthew, 38, have been docked before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court in Lagos Island on a two count charge of abduction.
The police alleged in the charge sheet No. G/23/2011 that the accused persons, Ifeanyi Onuoha, Pastor Wisdom Matthew and others now at large between January and April 2011 and between 9 and 10 March, 2011 unlawfully imprisoned Mrs. Kerstein Onuoha, a German national married to a Nigerian and took her to Ghana without her consent.
The police also alleged that the expartriate was kidnapped in Lagos and taken to Ghana by her abductors through the Nigerian border and kept in solitary confinement. They started demanding ransom from the husband.
The distraught husband Mr. Onuoha, it was learnt, paid an unspecified amount of money to the kidnappers yet her abductors refused to release her.
He reported the matter to the police at Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos and they swung into action in collaboration with the Ghana police authorities. Their efforts yielded dividend as two of the kidnappers were arrested while others reportedly escaped.
The accused persons and the victim were brought back to Nigeria.
The suspects were docked before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, charged with kidnapping and abduction.
The offences, according to the police prosecutor, Inspector Marcus Okon are punishable under Sections 516 and 361 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, Vol. ii, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
When the charge was read to them, Ifeanyi Onuoha and Pastor Wisdom Matthew pleaded not guilty.
The presiding magistrate, Alli Balogun admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum
The case was adjourned till 2 August 2011 for mention.
The accused persons were ordered to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison when they could not fulfil their bail conditions.
— Paul Iyoghojie