SSS arraigns Ozekhome’s kidnapper, Kelvin

A kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Eziegbe, and two members of his gang, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh, who recently abducted a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, were on Tuesday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court by the State Security Service.

Eziegbe and his gang members were accused of masterminding and perpetrating kidnappings in the entire South-South region as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

The three, who were brought to the court under heavy security, were docked before Magistrate Usman Shuaibu under a First Information Report dated October 28, 2013.

The FIR stated, “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.

“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.”

But the accused persons denied the charge.

The SSS prosecutor, Cliff Osagie, thereafter informed the court that investigations into the criminal activities of the suspects were still ongoing and would be concluded in a short while.

Punch