FCT High Court strikes out N40m abduction suit

An FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday struck out a N40 million suit against one Mr Augustine Tochukwu, for lack of diligent prosecution.

Tochukwu has been standing trial since 2013, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, abduction, possession of firearms and demand for ransom.

The prosecution had told the court that the accused and four others still at large, allegedly lured and abducted one Mrs Angela Nzota, a trader at the Wuse Market, Abuja.

The prosecution said Tochukwu had allegedly threatened to shoot Nzota if she refused to cooperate with the gang.

He said Tochukwu and his gang had put calls through to Nzota’s husband, Chidi Nzota, to demand for N40 million ransom before they were arrested.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Tochukwu’s counsel, Ms Ezuanu Olivia, urged the court to strike out the case because of the incessant absence of the complainants in court.

“ We humbly apply for the case to be struck out since the complainants are not always in court; today we are in court and they are not in court,’’ she said.

Justice Husseni Baba, granted Olivia’s application and struck out the case.