Mrs Eucharia Agbasimalo, the wife of Obiorah Agbasimalo, missing Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the November 2021 Anambra state poll, has alleged that the driver to the kidnapped politician and another suspect collected the sum of N5,000,000 from them on behalf of his abductors.
Eucharia disclosed this, Friday, while testifying in a Suit No. HIH/15C/22 before an Nnewi High Court 1 presided over by Justice C. N. Mbonu-Nwenyi.
She alleged that the driver, Mr Chukwudi Odimegwu and one Mr Nwokolo Maxwell, currently standing trial before the court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnap, collected the money for the kidnappers to release her husband, but never released him up to date.
According to her, N2.5 million was paid into the account of one of the suspects while a cash of N2.5 million was collected by him, after assuring them of the release of the victim.
She further alleged that the suspects were together with her husband before his kidnap, and even warned her husband’s family not to involve the security operatives and the media after his abduction, as they claimed to be constantly in touch with the alleged kidnappers.
This, according to her, was why she suspects the two as being directly or indirectly involved in the kidnap of her husband on September 18, 2021, while returning from a political function at Lilu community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.
She recalled how the suspects initially admitted knowing the whereabouts of her husband while in police custody, but later denied knowing his whereabouts when they were charged to court.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the case to January 19, 2024 for further hearing after her testimony and cross-examination before the court.
