The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, who arraigned the suspects, had arrested the 9 suspects after the victims had allegedly paid the sum of $200,000, to pirates who had kidnapped some staff members of the said company.
The suspects, who are standing trial on three counts against them by the Federal Government bordering on conspiracy, and terrorism, were reported to have transported the kidnap victims to Calabar in Cross River State after they were freed by their abductors.
According to the charge, Binaebi Johnson, Daniel Lemmer, Ghane Gordon, and Pilgrim Africa Limited Port Harcourt, Rivers State sometime within May, 2020 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State conspired to facilitate the payment of ransom of two hundred thousand dollars for the release of the hostages.
Our correspondent Uchendu Ejiowhor reports that the nine suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them by the government but the prosecuting counsel, Labaram Magaji, relying on section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2015, prayed the court to strike out the name of the 10th defendant, Pilgrim Africa Limited.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Sani, who remanded the defendants in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, promised speedy hearing of the matter and adjourned the matter till the 10th, 11th and 12th August, 2020 for ruling on bail application and commencement of hearing.
