Seventeen days after human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome was kidnapped, there are indications from sources close to the family of the legal luminary that his continued detention by his abductors is as a result of inability by the family to pay the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
Even though it could not be confirmed as at the time of filling this report, it was strongly rumoured by family members that the kidnappers insisted on collecting N100 million ransom before he would be released.
A family source who allegedly spoke under anonymity, said the family offered far below what the kidnappers demanded.
“They [the kidnappers] were saying that the lawyer is a very rich man, and N100 million should be a ‘chicken change’ to him. They said they were aware that he made so much money from election tribunals’ litigation,” the source allegedly said.
The police in Benin City, capital of Nigeria’s Edo State, Sunday confirmed the release of Mr Athanasius Ugbome, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress, APC, who was abducted along with Ozekhome and his driver.
Following the release of Ugbome, hope was raised that the human rights lawyer would also be released following alleged positive discussions between the kidnappers and Ozekhome’s family.
The jubilation that followed his release in Benin City and his Oviukwe community, was however cut short when only Ugbome was sighted without Ozekhome.
Confirming Ugbome’s release, Pascal, his elder brother, in a short message said: “Praise be to God, he has been released.”
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesman, ASP Moses Airhuoyo, was said to be in a meeting with the Commissioner.
But a source at the Command who craved anonymity confirmed the release of Ugbome.
“We are also expecting the release of Ozekhome any moment from now. Like we said earlier, we want him released unhurt and that we are working on,” said the police source.
Ozekhome was abducted on Friday, 23 August along the Benin-Auchi Road. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com