9 remanded over doctor’s abduction in Rivers

A  Chief Magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded in prison custody nine persons accused of abducting a Port Harcourt-based medical doctor, Alex Akani. The accused persons are Godknows Wokem, Promise Jim, Kingsley Chuku, Uchendu Elindam, Obinna Chuku, Henry Elebiga, Destiny Wosu, Stanley Wosu and Elizabeth Chuku. They are facing a 6-count charge of […]

A  Chief Magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded in prison custody nine persons accused of abducting a Port Harcourt-based medical doctor, Alex Akani.

The accused persons are Godknows Wokem, Promise Jim, Kingsley Chuku, Uchendu Elindam, Obinna Chuku, Henry Elebiga, Destiny Wosu, Stanley Wosu and Elizabeth Chuku.

They are facing a 6-count charge of kidnapping, abduction by ransom and illegal possession of arms.

When the accused persons were arraigned, the presiding Senior Magistrate F.N. Amanze ordered the charges to be read to them but no plea was taken.

She stated that the court lacks jurisdiction to handle the matter and directed that the case file be returned to the office of Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

The case was adjourned to October 30, 2017.

Dr Alex Akani, a Consultant Physician with University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, was abducted in June by arm bearing youths at his Rumuekini residence in Port Harcourt. 

His abduction paralyzed medical services in government own hospitals as his colleagues embarked on indefinite strike.

He was freed few days later after a ransom of N1.6m was paid.

The doctors kidnapped recently in  Port Harcourt included Dr Bob-Manuel Clark, Dr Borimari, among others. Dr Florence Onah, a consultant family physician was killed by her captors.