Kidnappers charged with collecting N35m as ransom
THREE members of a gang of suspected kidnappers who abducted a Kano businessman, Alhaji Salisu Sa’idu Maikanti, in July and set him free after receiving N35 million as ransom, were charged to a Kano High Court yesterday.
The accused persons, Paul Chekwudebelu, Nura Shu’aibu and Mohammed Nura, were arraigned before Justice Yusuf Mohammed Ubale of Miller Road High Court on a five-count charge relating to kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion and false detention.
Alhaji Maikanti was abducted on 11th fury, 2010 in front of his house in Kurnar Asabe quarters and was taken to a house in Yamadawa quarters in Gwale Local Government Area where he was held captive, the charge read.
The charge preferred by the office of Kano State Attorney General Aliyu Umar further alleged that the kidnappers contacted the son of the victim. Shamsu Salisu, on the phone and threatened him to pay N10 million or risk losing his father.
The accused persons, in collaboration with others now at large, continued to beat the businessman until he agreed to communicate his approval to buy his freedom with N35million to his son.
Court documents further showed that when Shamsu raised the requested amount after a family meeting, the accused persons warned him seriously against informing the police while they allegedly ordered him to make the payment in American dollars, which he reportedly did.
Similarly, the suspected kidnappers, according to the charges, robbed Alhaji Maikanti of N 140,000, two handsets and a wristwatch.
All the alleged kidnappers pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The case is being prosecuted by Barristers Rabi I Waya, Zakiyya haruan and Fatima Ado as state counsels, while Barrister Yusuf appeared for the accused persons. The court has adjourned the case to December 20th for the prosecution to present witnesses.
Daily Trust Thursday 25th November 2010
Page 7
From Lawan Danjuma Adamu, Kano
