Court Remands Four Suspected Kidnappers

Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, have arraigned three men and a woman before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Oyingbo, Lagos, southwest, Nigeria.

The suspects, John Kelechi, 29, Vitalis Ekeh, 51, Peter Ekeh, 58 and Maria Okoro, 55, were alleged to have abducted a two and half years old simply called Samuel, on 20 September, 2011, at 5, Idimu road, Ikotun, Lagos.He was alleged to have been in their custody in Imo State for two months, while they tried to collect a ransom from his parents.

A police source told P.M.NEWS that the boy was rescued from the suspected kidnappers after his parents reported the matter to the police.

Mr. P. O. Ugwunba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police andprosecuting police officer told the court that the offences are punishable under Section 409 and 269(1)(2)(3) of the Criminal Code Cap. C.17, Vol.II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

They four accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Afolashade Ogalla, a Chief Magistrate1, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum.

The sureties, the chief magistrate ordered, must show the court evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government, means of livelihood and have their residence verified by the prosecutor.

The matter was adjourned till 11 January, 2012, for mention.

They were moved to Ikoyi prison as they could not meet the bail conditions.

— Paul Sanusi