Absence of interpreter stalls arraignment of alleged kidnappers

The absence of an interpreter at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, stalled the arraignment of five men accused of abducting some pupils.

The kidnappers allegedly kidnapped pupils and members of staff of Nigeria/Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun, on January 13, 2017.

When the matter was called, the defendants, Bekewei Agbojule, Egbasimokumo Ayeomi, Godspower Olopele, Toki Okuba and Super-Allen Baye, said that they only understood Pidgin English very well.

The judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned the matter until June 21 to enable the court to provide an interpreter.

“It is regretted that the court could not locate an interpreter to translate proceedings to Pidgin English which the defendants understand.

“Therefore, the court will adjourn the matter until tomorrow to look for a competent and unbiased interpreter,” Tsoho said.

The Federal Government is arraigning the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on involvement in the acts of hostage taking, receiving of ransom and acts of terrorism.

The crime carries life sentence under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In the five-count charge, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves and with others at large and demanded N800 million as ransom after abducting and detaining their victims.

They were said to have later reduced the amount to N50 million which they allegedly received before releasing the victims.

The prosecution, led by Mr Aminu Alilu, also alleged in counts four and five of the charge that the defendants along with others at large, on Dec. 16, 2016 in Lagos, seized six other people at gunpoint.

They allegedly demanded a ransom of two million naira from the family members of the victims and received the money before releasing them.

The prosecution alleged that the offence of conspiracy to commit hostage taking was an act of terrorism contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.