LAGOS NOVEMBER 28TH (URHOBOTODAY)- The State Security Services (SSS) has withdrawn the charge it filed at an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, against kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Eziegbe, and two of his gang members, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh.
The trio was arraigned for alleged mastermind of highly coordinated kidnapping activities in the South-south region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At the hearing of the matter yesterday, counsel to the federal government, Cliff Osagie, informed the court that further investigation by the SSS had shown that the accused persons were involved in acts of terrorism with elements of kidnapping and murder, which did not fall under the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ court.
Osagie stated that the SSS had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja and had equally secured an order to further detain the suspects for another 90 days pending the conclusion of investigation.
He added that the accused persons would be arraigned before the court as prescribed by law.
Osagie’s application to withdraw the charge was granted by Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu.
Kelvin and others are to be remanded in the custody of the SSS until their arraignment at the Federal High Court.
Under the First Information Report dated October 28, 2013 but filed on October 29, the alleged kidnappers were charged as follows: “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.”
Kelvin, it was learnt, is unemployed and lives at 27 Akpoba Street, Kokori Ethiope East, LGA of Delta State; Frank Azuekoh, also unemployed is of Enweh, Isoko LGA Delta State, while Haruna Momoh of Hospital road, Agbede village, along Auchi-Benin road, Edo State is equally unemployed, according to the FIR.
Source:CKN