An Anambra State High Court in Nnewi, presided over by Justice C.N. Mbonu-Nwenyi, has remanded two suspects, Jude Chukwudi Odimegwu and Nwokolo Chukwudi Maxwell, over the alleged kidnapping of Labour Party governorship candidate Obiorah Agbasimalo during the 2021 Anambra governorship election.
Agbasimalo was kidnapped on September 18, 2021, at Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State while returning from a campaign rally and has not been found to date.
The trial, scheduled for further hearing on October 27, 2023, saw the adjournment due to the absence of Thompson Ogueriwù, the counsel to Nwokolo Chukwudi Maxwell, the second defendant. Justice Mbonu-Nwenyi warned against further undue delay and emphasized that it was the defense, not the court, causing delays in the case.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had previously arraigned the accused persons on charges of conspiracy and kidnapping before a Magistrate court in Awka. The court had remanded them in prison custody without taking their plea.
According to the charges, the accused persons attacked and caused the disappearance of Obiorah Agbasimalo on September 18, 2021, demanding a ransom of N7 million from his family for his release. The charges are based on sections 495(1) of the Criminal Code and 315(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Criminal Code (Amended) Law of Anambra State. The court ordered the police to transfer the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The DPP subsequently filed the same charges of conspiracy and kidnapping, alleging that the accused persons, armed with guns and other offensive weapons, kidnapped Agbasimalo and demanded a ransom for his release. The case is set to continue with the next hearing date on October 27, 2023.
