The seven persons arrested in connection with the kidnap of Michael Obi, father of the Chelsea footballer, John Mikel Obi, were arraigned in a Federal High Court in Jos yesterday on a three-count charge.
They were accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and terrorism, but all the seven accused including a Nigerien citizen and two members of the Nigerian Army (STF), pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Those arraigned before the Justice Ambrose Alagoa led Federal High Court were Sule Ibrahim (a citizen Niger republic), Basil Chukwuma, Ndubusi Friday, Ifeanyi Hycinth, Jacob Zekeri, Jaduwa Thalma and Victor Essien both of whom are members of the Nigerian Army and attached to Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis “operation safe haven.
The crime allegedly committed by the accused, according to the court is contrary to section 516 of the criminal code and section 1 sub-section 2© of the terrorism Act 2011.
The charge reads, “At about August 12, 2011, along Rayfield Road, Jos, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State, you agreed to commit an act of terrorism; an attack on person’s life which may cause serious bodily harm and kidnapping of a person when you attacked Michael Obi, brutalized him, forced him into a waiting military vehicle and later transferred him into a Peugeot car with registration No BG 282 GWA and took him to Kano where you demanded for a N1billion ransom as condition for his release.
“You are hereby committed offence contrary to section 516 of the criminal code Act cap C 38 laws of the federation.”
However, each of the seven accused pleaded not guilty respectively when the charges were read. One of the accused, Sule Ibrahim claimed he was just a taxi driver and that he was only involved because his car was rented from Jos to Kano.
But investigation showed that Sule Ibrahim is a full member of the gang, he is a citizen of Niger Republic and lived in Kano and that he provided the venue the kidnapped Michael Obi was kept
The prosecuting counsels, Anthony Dabar, Charles Mbekonye and Seun
Sokumbi asked the court to adjourn the case so as to make witnesses available since the accused have pleaded not guilty. Justice Ambrose Alagoa therefore adjourned the case till November 21 for the appearance of witnesses.
Based on the application of the prosecuting counsel, the court granted the transferred of the suspects from Police custody to the Jos prison. Counsel to the accused, Habila Pekes said he has no objection to the application and the next date of adjournment.
via Daily Sun
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