A vacation judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ngozi Nwabulu, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the remand of two suspected kidnappers over the alleged murder of a 21-year-old man.
The defendants, Acha Leku Michael, 21, and Abigal Vincent, 20, both residents of Apo, Abuja, were arraigned on three counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide punishable by death.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired between April 24 and 29 to kidnap 21-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, who was later killed.
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According to the police, the defendants took Chukwuemeka to Apo Hill under the guise of going for prayers, where he was allegedly murdered.
The prosecution further alleged that Michael demanded N5 million ransom from the deceased’s mother, Juliana Anidu, and directed her to pay the money into Vincent’s PoS account.
The offences were said to contravene Sections 97, 221 and 274 of the Penal Code Law.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Ridwan Mohammed, urged the court to remand them at the Kuje, Suleja or Keffi correctional facilities.
The application was not opposed by defence counsel, Katr Nwaigbo.
Justice Nwabulu subsequently ordered that Michael be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Vincent be taken to either Suleja or Keffi Correctional Centre.
The judge adjourned the case until September 24 for commencement of trial.