11th January, 2013
Nigerian Kidnappers who abducted for two days a seven-year old boy, Emmanuel Edi, in his school at Satellite town, Lagos State, have been charged to court.
Their luck ran out when they were trying to collect the N200,000 ransom that the school boy’s father, Sunny Edi had paid into the bank.
The two kidnappers have been identified as Chukwudi Henry Chidozie, 33, and Okwudili Michael, 34, both from Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
It was gathered that Sunny first received a text message from the suspects threatening to abduct his son from school if he failed to pay them N2million ransom. They also threatened to deal with him or kill his son if he reported the matter to the police.
However, the businessman ignored the threat and reported the matter to the police at Festac division.
A few days after the text message, the suspects allegedly kidnapped Emmanuel from his school. His captors demanded N2 million ransom. After negotiation, his father Sunny Edi agreed to pay N200,000 and one of the suspects supplied his bank account details.
Not knowing that the police were keeping a tab on them, the two suspects went to the bank to withdraw the money and policemen, with the assistance of bank officials, arrested them.
They were docked at an Apapa Magistrate’s court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and receiving ransom.
The police prosecutor, Mr. I. John stated that the offence the suspects allegedly committed was contrary to and punishable under sections 409, 300 Code Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.
When the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. A. K. Shonubi admitted each of them to bail in the sum of N250,000 with one surety each in like sum. The matter was adjourned till 18 February, 2013 for mention.
But the suspects will remain in prison custody pending when their bail condition was perfected.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe