By; AMOS MATHEW & JULIANA KATUNG, Kaduna.
19 suspected kidnappers were Tuesday arraigned before various magistrate and chief magistrate courts in Kaduna on offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft and kidnapping.
At the Chief Magistrate court 7 Barnawa, Kaduna South where 7 of the suspects were arraigned before Magistrate Joyce Kaka, the prosecuting officer ASP Sani Umaru said the accused persons were arrested at different locations for similar offences bordering on kidnapping, criminal conspiracy among others.
In his submission, Mohammed Bello Umar, Ibrahim Sani, and Lawal Bello were reported by one Usman Yaro of Kabode village to have kidnapped his brother Narayi Yaro to an unknown destination and demanded for a six million naira ransom.
The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the accusation.
Ruling on their case, the presiding magistrate said their offence is bailable and granted them bail in the sum of 200,000 each with 2 sureties, 2 passports, proof of residence, means of identification and valid phone numbers.
She added that they be remanded in prison until their bail terms are fulfilled and adjourned their case for hearing to the 11th August, 2016.
On their parts, Shittu Idi, Abdullahi Mohammed and Sule Musa who were arrested in Sabon Gaya in Chikun Local Government Area on similar offence also pleaded not guilty.
Although the second accused person Abdullahi Mohammed was represented by a counsel Kola Mustapha Esq who applied for his bail, the magistrate granted the 3 accused persons bail in the sum of 250,000 with 2 sureties, 2 passports, valid means of identification, phone number and address of residence.
While adjourning their case to 15th August, 2016, she ordered that they be remanded in prison custody until their bail terms are fully fulfilled.
The 7th accused person Ya’u Halidu who was arraigned for abating kidnapping activities in Kaso village of Kajuru local government also pleaded not guilty.
The prosecuting officer sought for adjournment to allow for complete investigation against the accused.
Magistrate Kaka adjourned his case till 14th July, 2016 for hearing and ordered that he be remanded in prison till the said date to allow police conclude their investigation into the matter.
