State Security Service arraigns kidnapping kingpin Kelvin and 2 others

The State Security Service on Tuesday arraigned the suspected kidnapping kingpin, Kelvin Ezeigbe; and two members of his gang, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh, before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.

Kelvin and members of his gang were believed to be responsible for a number of high-profile kidnapping cases in the South-South region as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory, including the abduction of the human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, in September.

The three, who were brought to the court under heavy security, were arraigned before Magistrate Usman Ahmed 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 charges.

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

He therefore asked the court for time before the commencement of the trial.

“My Lordship, because of the nature of the case and need to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the suspects with a view to unearthing those sponsoring them, it is imperative we plead for time to enable us conclude investigation and come out to prove our case,” Osagie told the court.

He also asked the court to remand the suspects in the custody of the SSS until the conclusion of the investigation.

Counsel to the suspected kidnappers, J.O Eguere, told Magistrate Usman Shuaibu that he would come formally to apply for their bail.

But he opposed the prosecution’s bid to remand the suspects in SSS custody, and instead asked the court to remand them either in Kuje, Suleja or Keffi prisons.

Asking the court to discountenance Eguere’s submissions, Osagie said the defence counsel “has never seen any of the accused persons.”

Ruling on the matter, the magistrate remanded the suspects in the custody of the SSS.

He held that in the interest of justice the security agency would be given time to conclude its investigations.

Punch