BY IRENE ONYANGO.
Five Nigerians accused of abducting a West African businessman after a Sh4 million deal went sour in 2020 have been detained by Nairobi Court pending investigations.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Benard Ochoi ordered detention of the five Nigerians for four days at Parklands police station to allow detectives to complete investigations into alleged abduction.
However, the court released two Kenyans facing similar allegations alongside the Nigerians with cash bail of Sh 100,000 pending investigations.
The seven were presented before a Nairobi court on Tuesday and the magistrate directed the Nigerians to remain in custody for three days, to allow the police conclude investigations into the matter.
They include Henry Odugba Ochuko, Oseyi Erewelf, Edosa Jordan Idehen, Ogbeifun Denis, Ojeaga Edoh, Halima Vanesa Rajab and Juliet Mukima Gakuu.
The seven allegedly abducted Duke Ehiarekhian Ekoh after arriving in Nairobi on May 29.
It is alleged that he met Henry Odugba Ochuko whom he had some business contract in Lagos but he had failed to complete the deal because Ochuko failed to clear the full amount for the importation of some equipment from China.
He further stated that he was asked by the said Ochuko to meet in Kilimani and upon arrival, he was led to a rented house in a bid to settle the matter.
Duke, through the investigative officer Gerald Kamwaro said that upon his arrival, Ochuko who was in company of two other persons were joined by Oseyi Erewelf, Edosa Jordan Idehen and Ojeaga Edoh.
He said he was later informed that he was under their custody until he refunds the money that he had received while in Lagos way back in 2020.
In the miscellaneous application brought before Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi, one of the people started beating him inflicting injuries on his left chin, left eye, nose, head and left middle finger.
Further, it states that the suspects took videos of him using his phone and sent them to his friends and family demanding payment of Sh48,580,000 which was the initial money that had been given to him as payment.
The suspects’ lawyer, however, denied the claims saying the claims were not true and that Duke was the accused business partner that had failed to meet his end of the bargain and pay back their money.
The police however requested for 3days to complete investigation and at the same time, confirm the status of the complainant who is admitted in the hospital.
He further informed the court that the five Nigerians had no passport and they were in Kenya illegally.
The court ordered the accused to be remanded at Kilimani police station after which they will be arraigned in court for plea taking.
