Trial of Nnubia, kidnap baron, rages

The last is yet to be heard on the on-going trial of Chief Ignatius Nnubia, the alleged kidnap baron, east of the Niger. Nnubia and his kidnap gang had, since December last year, been remanded in prison custody pending outcome of police investigations into their alleged kidnap exploits.(Picture left shows Nnubia)

It would be recalled that it was the kidnap of Dr. Paul Edemobi, younger brother to Nigeria’s information minister that led to the smashing of Nnubia’s kidnap syndicate. Nnubia is an Enugu based oil magnate.

The trial of the suspected kidnappers which commenced last month, witnessed the arraignment, on Monday March 2, of three additional accused persons.
The three new suspects are two police officers, Sgt. Osakaike Dennis, ThankGod Dakashi and one Ali Mohammed, a guard working for Nnubia.

No plea was taken on that day following absence of the three new suspects in court. Incidentally, their absence could neither be explained by the prosecution counsels nor the prison officials that brought the other accused persons to court.

The defense counsel, Dr. Zeph Anyogu told the court that everybody involved in the case was served summons to appear yesterday and wondered why the said accused persons were not in court. He argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to liase with the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to find out the whereabouts of the accused persons. Anyogu applied for a short adjournment since the appearance would be for plea only and suggested Wednesday March 4. While not opposing the adjournment, the state counsel, Mrs. C. N. Malu, requested the court to give them more time to sort things out properly.

Trial judge, Mrs. Scholastica Amanoh, however, adjourned the case to March 17 for plea.

And in the same court, separate applications for the bail of the oil magnate, Nnubia, his manager, Emmanuel Okolie and his driver, Anike Ejike were made to the court by their consel, Anyogu.

The applications which were filed since January 26 this year were last argued on February 19. Arguing the application on behalf of the oil magnate, his counsel, Anyogu persuaded the court to admit the applicant on bail in view of the affidavits and exhibits attached to the application.

In the affidavits and exhibits, the applicant, he told the court has proofs that he would always make himself available while the trial as in progress. He assured the court that, the accused with an asset base of over N2 billion, cannot abscond or pervade the course of justice.

“My Lord, the question is whether the applicant will be attending court or not. He is not concerned whether guilty or not. He had sworn o the police that if after their investigation they find him involved in the offence, let them take every of his assets. His asset base is in the region of N2billion”, argued the counsel.

Anyogu made similar arguments in the applications of the manager and the driver. Trial judge, Justice Scholastica Amanoh reserved March 19 for ruling on the three bail applications.

For once in Nigeria, money has not instantly purchased freedom for the privileged. KlinReports commends the manner in which justice is being dispensed in this Nnubia case.