A fifty four year old traditional ruler in Calabar, Muri Maurice Eyo, with two others said to be his accomplices, Francis Orok and Eyo Okon were on Tuesday arraigned before a Calabar Magistrate Court for kidnapping.
In the first of the four count charge brought by ASP Augustine Timin, at Magistrate Court three, presided over by Magistrate Kate Ephraim, the three were alleged to have conspired to commit felony on the 2nd of May 2012 at Eneobong Avenue in Calabar South by kidnapping one Muri Francis Effa Bassey, Chief Archibong Effanga and Chief Effanga Effiong Henshaw which is an offense punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code.
On count two, the charge sheet states that the three on the 2nd of May, 2012 at no. 1 Eneobong Close unlawfully imprisoned Muri Francis Effa Bassey, Chief Archibong Okon, and Chief Effanga Effiom Henshaw by forcing them into a taxi “under gun point and covering their eyes with a black cloth and taking them to the compound of Muri Maurice Okon Eyo where they were kept seated on the floor for three hours while inflicting them with severe beating”. This the charge sheet says is punishable under section 314 (2) of the criminal Code
On count three, the traditional ruler was singled out and charged for falling to use his powers to prevent the kidnapping of the other three traditional rulers which contravenes section 515 of the criminal code and on the final count, Muri Francis Orok was alleged to have hit one Francis Efa Bassey which resulted in his sustaining injuries and subsequently been rushed to hospital.
Muri Francis Eyo who pleaded not guilty was granted bail on condition that he provides a surety who is a civil or public servant on grade level 15 and must own a landed property.
Source: Crossriverwatch
