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₦10 Million Nigerian ₦aira Paid for Kidnapped Anglican Bishop’s Freedom
By Ernest Chinwo
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
18 Apr 2014
Rev.-Ignatius-Kattey-1909.jpg - Rev.-Ignatius-Kattey-1909.jpg
Bishop Ignatius Kattey
The Department of State Security (DSS) has said ₦10 million Nigerian naira ($62,500-US; £37,000-UK; €45,000-EU) was paid as ransom before the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province of the church, Bishop Ignatius Kattey, who was kidnapped last year, was freed by his captors.
The facts emerged yesterday when the DSS arraigned three men suspected of being involved in the kidnap of Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, last year before a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State Director of State Security Service (DSS), Mr. Apok Nyam, said the suspects, Chibueze Nwaogba, Onyedikachi Emmanuel Okoro and Philip Chikaodiri Ogbuewu, on September 6, 2013, kidnapped Kattey and Beatrice at Aleto Bridge, Eleme, in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the accused persons collected ₦10,000,000 as ransom before releasing the victims. He also said the three suspects were behind serial kidnappings in the state.
The suspects, who face a 17-count charge, were said to have abducted one Ukel Jerome Agba, on February 13, 2013 at Pipeline, in Aleto, Eleme, in the same local government area.
He also said ₦5 million ($31,200-US; £18,500-UK; €22,500-EU) was collected by the accused persons before the victim was Listing other crimes allegedly committed by the suspects, Nyam said the three men, on February 15, last year, kidnapped Mrs. Anna Agba, at Pipeline, in the same area and were also said to have collected a ransom of ₦3 million ($18,700-US; £11,100-UK; €13,500-EU) before the victim was released.
On February 13, 2013, at Pipeline, in Aleto, Eleme, the three arraigned suspects were also alleged to have abducted one Chidiebere Nwawuba and later collected N2 million before releasing the victim.
The gang was said to have kidnapped Dr. Lasisi Adebukola, on December 12, 2012, at Ebube, Eleme, in the same local government area. The accused persons received ₦1 ($6,250-US; £3,700-UK; €4,500-EU) million as ransom before releasing their victim.
On May 2, 2013, the accused persons and others at large, allegedly abducted Dr. Ezem Fidelis Chidozie at Sand Field Road, Aleto, Eleme, and ₦1.3 ($8,100-US; £4,800-UK; €5,800-EU) million was paid for his freedom.
They were said to have on or about May 17, 2013 abducted Mr. Bernard Azuwuike Ezem near Eleme forest and received a ransom of ₦800,000 ($5,000-US; £3,000-UK; €3,600-EU) for his release.
The DSS also alleged that the accused persons, on August 7, 2013, kidnapped one Fred Mbobo Igwe on the East-West Road.
They also allegedly abducted one Iheakanwa Felix Arinze on May 31, last year at Aleto Bridge in Eleme Local Government Area and got ₦1.8 ($11,200-US; £6,800-UK; €8,100-EU) million as ransom for his release.
However, no plea was taken as the trial Chief Magistrate, I. Agbesor, ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody because the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He directed that their case file should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The case was adjourned until September 1, 2014.
END
