The Cross River state Police command has arraigned in the Federal High court, Calabar, eight persons accused of kidnapping, robbery and in possession of illegal arms and ammunition.
Those arraigned before Justice Sule Shuaibu, and remanded in Afokang Correction Centre, Calabar, included Ita Oku Ndiyo, Kenneth Martins Atu, Bassey Effiom Okon, Idang Anwakang and Ndifon Daniel Ajom, Moses Bassey Edem, Godwin Okon Nyong and Bassey Godwin Etim.
Three count charges were slammed on the first five accused in suit No: FHC/CA/95/2020, while the last three, in that order, had two count charges. All the accused were charged for terrorism, robbery and illegal possession of firearm.
The charge sheet, sighted by our reporter, said the accused, with “others now at large, on or about the 9th day of October 2020, at plantain market along Obudu – Ikom road, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: Terrorism and Robbery thereby committed an offence punishable under section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.”
Moses Bassey Edem, Godwin Nyong and Bassey Godwin Etim, who were arrested in Akpabuyo were said to have “kidnapped one Mrs. Theresa Francis Nyong ‘F,’ held her hostage for some days, and demanded ransom of Thirty Million Naira (N30,000, 000).”
The prosecuting counsel, D. T. Tarhemba, of the State Criminal Investigation Department pleaded for time to enable him to open and close his case accordingly, and that the accused be remanded in the Correction Centre pending the determination of the suit.
The court adjourned the case till February 25, 2021 and March 3, 2021, respectively, while that of the last three accused were adjourned to March 15 to 17, 2021.
The accused were subsequently remanded in Afokang Correctional Service, Calabar.
