SAN FRANCISCO, September 23, (THEWILL) – Alhaji Nakowa Suleiman, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, and Effong Akpan, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have been charged for allegedly abducting two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to court proceedings at the Fugar Magistrate Court, the duo abducted the Corpers during the recent conduct of Voters Registration Exercise in the state.
The court was informed that Alhaji Suleiman and Akpan illegally seized the INEC registration machine and took it to the residence of Suleiman where the Corps members, Matthew Omaji and Grace Adah were kept and forced to register people.
The court was told that the suspects, “on the 25th of June, 2016, at Ofukpo, in the Fugar Magistrate District did abduct one Mathew Omaji and compelled him against his will to carry out unlawful activities and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 And punishable under section 3 (2) of the Edo state kidnapping prohibition law 2009 as amended in 2013.
“That you compelled Mathew Omaji to carry out unlawful activities and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 and punishable under section 3 (2) of the Edo state kidnapping law 2009 as amended in 2013.
“That you Effong Akpan on or before 25th June, 2016 at Ofukpo in Fugar Magistrate District did aid and abet Alhaji Nakowa to abduct Mathew Omaji and Grace Adah and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 4 (1) of the Edo state kidnapping (prohibition) law 2009 as amended in 2013.”
The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding Magistrate, Abibor Emmanuel, remanded them to Auchi prison pending when a new date will be fixed to hear the their bail application.
Story by David Oputah
