4th November, 2013
Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has revealed how he urinated in his boxers while in the den of his abductors.
Ozekhome, who again revealed his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers at a thanks giving service at St. Mary Catholic Church, Ivikwe, his home town, said he passed urine uncontrollably in his boxers when he was shown a pistol and the kidnappers threatened to kill him should his family members fail to raise the millions of naira they demanded for his release.
“They showed me a pistol and a bullet. They asked if I knew what it could do. They told me that they will send me to my early grave if my family members failed to raise the huge amount they demanded for my ransom.
“At that point, I urinated in my knickers. I then called all my family members and friends and I told them if they truly loved me and wanted me alive, they should raise the money by all means,” Ozekhome told the congregation.
He said several of his friends and former PDP governorship aspirant in Edo State, Ken Imansuagbon, poured millions of naira into his bank account.
According to the lawyer, when the money was raised, they warned him never to involve security men, but to send his family members.
He said he became confused as to who to send when the money was to be delivered, because not all men could be trusted as they could divert the money.
“I then asked my wife to send my son, Ilugbekhai, and one of my most trusted lawyers who is also like my son, to bring the money.
“When the kidnappers returned from picking the money, they said to me, ‘Oga, na bad news oh.’ I almost developed a heart attack. I thought that they came with policemen, engaged them in shooting and my son was probably killed.
“But they later told me that they have also abducted my son and my lawyer, and demanded for ransom for their release. We had to also raise money for their release.”
Ozekhome who praised his wife and all his friends for their support, said he would henceforth show his gratitude to God for sparing his life by showing generosity to the needy and lowly ones in the society.
“I will now continue to serve God, because if God is with you, nobody will be against you. Henceforth, my household will continue to serve God, and will continue helping the needy, especially the widows and helpless in the society.”
Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, who officiated at the thanksgiving service, urged the congregation to be thankful to God in everything.
Among dignitaries present at the service were Ken Imasuagbon, the Onogie of Ebele, Aikpaogie I, Alhaji Andrew Yusuf Dirisu, the Okudepilagbe of Okpella, and others
—Jethro Ibileke/Benin