Teenager docked over alleged kidnap of 8-year-old boy, granted bail
NAN-H-48
Bail
By Victor Ikenna Nwachukwu
Abuja, Feb. 2, 2018 ( NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Friday granted bail to 18-year-old Ebenezar Istifanus, docked for the alleged kidnap of 8-year-old Innocent Sani, his cousin.
When the defendant was first arraigned before the court on Jan. 31, he denied committing the offence, while the Magistrate, Mr Emenisi Ebiwari, adjourned the case until Feb. 2, to rule on the bail application.
In his ruling on the bail application, Ebiwari granted him bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety in like sum.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 8, for further hearing.
When the defendant was first arraigned before the court on Jan. 31, the prosecutor, Mr Kufreabasi Ebong, alleged that the defendant kidnapped Sani, his cousin on Dec. 18, 2017.
He alleged that the defendant enticed the boy out of the lawful custody of his guardians without their consent.
The prosecutor said that the defendant demanded N40million ransom, but was paid N160,000.
He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 273 of the Penal Code.
Istifanus, however, denied committing the offence, adding that he was wrongly accused.
He said that he was a JSS3 student of Government Science School Wamba, Nasarawa State.
The defendant said that he was fixing electrical faults in the shop of a former neighbour, when he was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police.
The magistrate, Mr Emenisi Ebiwari, described the case as `delicate,’ since it “involves members of the same family.”
He ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case until Feb. 2, for ruling on bail application. (NAN)
VIN/ NNO/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh
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