The Federal Government has arraigned before a Federal High Court, alleged kidnap kingpin, Mr Kevin Eziegbe.
Mr Eziegbe, alongside two others, was slammed with a 13-count charge for allegedly masterminding kidnapping and terrorism activities in the South-South region.
Kelvin and the two other accused persons are being accused of masterminding the kidnapping of constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, in August 2013, which led to the killing of 5 policemen.
The Federal Government had in November 2013 withdrawn a suit it filed against the alleged kidnappers before Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu of Abuja Magistrate Court.
Counsel to the FG, Clifford Osagie, had told the court that further investigations conducted by the SSS revealed that the suspects were involved in acts of terrorism with elements of kidnapping and murder, hence the need to approach a Federal High Court.
The trio pleaded “not guilty” to the allegations levelled against them by the Federal Government.
However, the oral application made by their counsel, Bala Dakum, to secure bail for them was rejected by the court, which instead ruled that the suspects be remanded in the custody of the State Security Services till the next adjourned date of July 1.
Trial Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, however, ordered the SSS to grant the accused persons access to their counsel pending the commencement of their trial.
