Court remands man over failed kidnap in Rivers State
Chief Magistrate sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday remanded a 26-year-old man in prison for alleged attempt to kidnap a man in the Rivers State capital.
The accused, Samuel Saviour and others now at large allegedly attempted to kidnap one Tony Philmore from his residence with intent to demand ransom against his will.
The incident was said to have taken place at Plot 245 Eagle Island in the Port Harcourt metropolis on February 24, last year.
Part of the four-count charge read thus: “That Samuel Saviour ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, did attempt to kidnap or abduct one Tony Philmore ‘m’ in his resident with intent to demand ransom against his will and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 2 of the Rivers State Kidnap (prohibition) Law No 3 of 2009.
“That you Samuel Saviour ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, did attempt to murder one Tony Philmore ‘m’ by pointing and hitting him with gun which caused him grievous harm and thereby committed and offence punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Laws of Rivers State of 1999.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate E. C. Woke in his ruling said the court lacks jurisdiction over the second and the third charges.
Consequently, he ordered that the accused be remanded in prison while the case file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for necessary action.
The court later adjourned the matter to April 8.
Daily Sun Tuesday 18th January,2011
Page 9
From EZEDIKE JOSHUA, Port Harcourt
