The suspects were arrested in August 2009 for allegedly kidnapping one Chief Godwin Okeke, an Onitsha-based transporter.
Okeke had petitioned the President, Anambra State governor, Inspector General of Police and Anambra State House of Assembly over the release of the suspects without trial.
Following the development, the House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, led by Chugbo Enwezor, asked the duo to come and explain why the suspects were released without prosecuting them in court.
Nine suspects were standing trial for allegedly kidnapping the transport magnate but were said to have been released by the court because the DPP did not file any information to show interest in prosecuting the case.
As a result of the failure of the DPP to file information that will enable the court prosecute the suspects, the court had earlier granted them bail based on what it described as undue delay by the office of the DPP.
Speaking to newsmen after a closed door with members of the House Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, Okeke lamented that lack of prosecution had always been the bane of injustice in the country.
Okeke said: “The House summoned the Attorney General and DPP because of my petition to the State Assembly and the Presidency over their silence on the matter and let the suspects off the hook, but today, the Attorney General was present but the DPP failed to come.
“Who is the DPP? Is he not under the Attorney-General? How can he be here but the DPP refused to show up, that is what we are saying,
“We are here because of the petition I had written to the Presidency and the House where I specifically mentioned threat to my life and my family over release of seven kidnap suspects who kidnapped me on August 29, 2009 but today, the Attorney General was trying to shift blame to the DPP who unfortunately did not come”.
“I saw the absence of the DPP as another ploy by whoever that is playing this game to further frustrate the matter, otherwise, all the calls put across to the DPP, he told the members that he was coming yet he did not come, so the House postponed the sitting to Wednesday next week. But I’m not sure I will be here because I have given them all the necessary documents they need.”
He also disclosed that since the release of the suspects, he had been receiving threat massages from those he alleged had asked him to withdraw the matter from court if he wanted to live.
“I have been receiving threatening calls and messages from those boys who ordered me to withdraw the case from court if I still want to live, but I told them to come to court so that we settle it there.
“You must have read in the papers that the five kidnap suspects arrested by the vigilance group came specifically to kidnap me and eliminate me but their mission failed,” said Okeke.
It will be recalled that Anambra State vigilance group on Tuesday smashed a five-man kidnap gang in Asaba, Delta State, where they confessed that they wanted to kidnap Chief Godwin Okeke.
Items recovered from them included two AK 47 riffles, 60 empty magazine and 120 live ammunition and their operational car.
…arrests fake military uniform dealers in Aba
By ANAYO OKOLI
UMUAHIA—MEN of 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, have arrested illegal military and para-military uniforms dealers at Nsulu Market in Aba, Abia State.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Lt. Olabisi Ayeni, said 19,735.86 metres of United States Army camouflage, sown Mobile Police uniforms and other para-military agencies uniforms were found in a warehouse said to be owned by a millionaire businessman in Aba, whose name the army kept secret.
Already, the said owner of the warehouse and some other suspects have since been arrested by soldiers, as investigation continues.
According to the army, a bulk of the illegal items, believed to be for sale to non-military personnel, was found in the warehouse located at No. 9 Nwaigwe street, Aba.
Others items were said to have been found in the retail shops of one Obi Augustine Uzegbu and another suspect who is still at large.
They were said to be the agents of the suspected major distributor in the illegal business.
Ayeni quoted one of the suspects as having confirmed they had been in the illegal business for over three years.
The statement alleged the suspects supplied these items to armed robbers, kidnappers and political thugs who usually impersonate security agencies.
Giving details of how the soldiers smashed the illegal business, Ayeni said soldiers laid a siege on the suspects and arrested them, following a tip-off.
According to him, when their shops were searched, more discoveries were made.
The release quoted one of the suspects, Augustine Uzegbu, as claiming that he purchased over 600 yards of camouflage materials from the major suspect.
”I have been into this business for over eight years now. I sell jeans materials but sometimes we find camouflage in our materials.
“We don’t display it, we hide it knowing it was an illegal material but we sell to people who come to buy in military uniforms.
“I bought 600 yards from the main distributor 3 days before I was arrested and I know others who deal in the business too,” the suspect was quoted as saying. (vanguardngr)
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