N-Delta Kidnap Kingpin Kelvin, Gang Members Plead Not Guilty to Charges

Suspected kidnap kingpin, Mr. Kelvin Eziegbe, and two others, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh, were arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly masterminding series of highly coordinated kidnapping activities in the entire South-South region and the FCT. The procedures took place on October 29, 2013, Tuesday.

A First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police indicate 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, Kelvin Eziegbe, a.k.a. Kelvin Oniara, 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.

According to the FIR, the accused persons ambushed and attacked a Federal Prisons vehicle conveying some members of their criminal gang which resulted in the death of some Police and Prisons officers.

The suspects were also accused of unlawful importation of prohibited firearms from Libya for the purpose of kidnapping, robbery and related criminal activities.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Upon their plea, the State Security Service (SSS) informed the court that they still require more time in investigating the heinous activities of the alleged notorious kidnappers and urged the court to grant the agency more time to conclude further investigations of other kidnapping incidents perpetrated by the suspects.

In his ruling, Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu noted that in the interest of justice, time should be given to the SSS to allow then conclude investigation and ordered that the three accused kidnappers be remanded in the detention facility of the SSS. 

PM News