Posted by By GODDY OSUJI, Abakaliki on
A case of kidnap, preferred against, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State in the April 14, 2007 election, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court, has been struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
A case of kidnap, preferred against, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State in the April 14, 2007 election, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court, has been struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
Discharging the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. U. S. Onuorah, stated that she had no doubt in her mind that the prosecution has abandoned the prosecution of the charge against the accused person.
Reviewing the case, Onuorah observed, 'this matter is part heard and more than three adjournments, the prosecuting counsel and the complainant had stopped coming to court to prosecute the charge against the accused person."
In the two-count charge, Onu was alleged to have with others at large on April 14, 2007 at Uburu Ohaozara within Abakaliki Magisterial District did kidnap DSP Stephen Adiukwu, the election DPO for Ohaozara by unlawfully imprisoning him in such a manner as to prevent any person entitled to have access to him from discovering the place where he is imprisoned and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 364 (b) of the Criminal Code Cap. 30 vol.11 laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as applicable in Ebonyi State.
'That you Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and others at large on the 14th day of April, 2007 at Uburu Ohaozara within the Abakaliki Magisterial District did assault DSP Stephen Adikwu, the election DPO for Ohaozara by willfully obstructing him while acting in the execution of his duty and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 356 (b) of the Criminal Code Cap. 30 vol. 11 laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as applicable in Ebonyi State."
Reacting, the governorship candidate, however, reaffirmed his implicit confidence in the judiciary as an impartial arbiter of justice.
'Indeed, by the ruling of His Worship, Mrs. Stella Onuora, JP, my faith has been strengthened in my conviction that regardless of the machinations of man, the truth can never be prevented from eventually coming to light no matter how long it takes," he said.
He thanked the people of Ebonyi State and indeed most Nigerians, who through several personal inquiries and visits have kept hope alive and reassured them that while he bore no grudge, he would as always, remain committed to the cherished attributes of peaceful co-existence and the healthy pursuit of the common good for the benefit of all.