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Secret Reporters
Findings has revealed that, the Project Manager of Energovod Engineering Nigeria Ltd, Engr. Emeka Chibuzor was on Friday 12th August, 2016 arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court 1 at Moore Road, Calabar, Cross River State on a three count charge of Conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and kidnapping. When the charges were read to the suspect, Engr. Emeka Chibuzor, he pleaded not guilty to all the three count charges. The suspect was granted bail by Chief Magistrate E. E Edogie Esq. in the sum of N100,000 with one surety who resides Calabar Metropolis.
Does a Chief Magistrate have the Jurisdiction to try a kidnap case & also grant a kidnap suspect bail when the Cross River State Government has signed into law the kidnapping bill which recommended death penalty for convicted kidnappers? The arraignment was as a result of a Petition by the MD The Just Electrical Works, Mr. Akim Peter Chima to the Inspector – General of Police against the MD Energovod Engineering Nig. Ltd, Mr. Ibem Odo, The MD Malatex Global Service Ltd, Apostle Lawrence Abba and Engr. Emeka Chibuzor for Criminal Conspiracy, attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, contract scam and threat to life. Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC)/ National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) awarded a contract involving installation of a 330 KVA DC Transmission Power line along Itu Calabar Expressway Calabar Cross State to Energovod Engineering Nig. Ltd who awarded the contract to Malatex Global Services who in turn awarded the contract to The Just Electrical Works who had the financial muscles to execute the project. Mr. Akim Peter Chima mobilized his workers to site and worked on site for close to one year.
Due to operational constraints, the Just Electrical could not complete the Project because Energovod Engineering Nig. Ltd refused to supply to The Just Electrical Works necessary materials to complete the project as agreed. The suspects conspired with soldiers, stormed the site, brutalized, assaulted and kidnapped Mr Akim and three others from Cross River State to Ibagwa military barracks in Akwa Ibom where they were held hostage for 48 hrs without their consent with the dubious intention to force Mr. Akim Peter Chima to sign an already prepared documents that he has been paid his N52, 233, 370.00 debt being owed him by Energovod Engineering Nigeria Ltd as expenses accruing for workers salary, cost of hiring equipment, loans, accommodation and other expenses. Another Chinese company was brought to site to complete the remaining part of the installation project without terminating the contract of The Just Electrical Works. Engr. Emeka Chibuzor was arrested on the 19th of July, 2016 by crack detectives( ASP Intu Dagogo & Insptr. Nsa Okoi ) from State CID Calabar, Cross River State on the directive of the IGP while other suspects are at large and frantic efforts are being made by the police to get the fleeing suspects arrested.
More to come in our next report…
The Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola should as a matter of urgency summon the Ag.Managing Director Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd, Barr. Chiedu Ugbo to ensure that criminal elements who disguise themselves as contractors carrying out FG contracts like Energovod Engr. Nig. Ltd should be blacklisted from further carrying out or executing any FG contract with NDPHC Ltd or any other FG MDAs. The suspects on the run like the MD Energovod Engr. Nig. Ltd, Mr. Ibem Odo and others still at large should be arrested wherever they r within n outside the country to pay for their alleged crimes. One of the official Hilux vehicle belonging to NDPHC Ltd which was used by the kidnapping suspects has also been recovered by the police command hdqtrs, Calabar River State. The Management of NDPHC Ltd has a case to answer.