Woman kicks over ‘VIP treatment’ of alleged husband’s abductors

.Seeks probe of NCoS officials

Mrs Eucharia Agbasimalo, wife of the abducted 2021 Anambra State Governorship Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Obiora Agbasimalo, has petitioned the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over what she described as preferential treatment given to the suspected kidnappers.

Agbasimalo was abducted three years ago and has since been held incommunicado despite payment of ransom, while two suspects arrested for the crime are allegedly receiving Very Important Person (VIP) treatment in custody.

The petition followed the application by counsel to the suspects last month, in which they sought bail at the Nnewi High Court, amid claims that the alleged abductors only returned to the custodial centre a day before the court’s adjourned date.

The LP candidate was abducted on the heels of the Governorship election and a manhunt for the suspected perpetrators led to the arrest of the suspects while others are on the run.

In an open letter to the Controller of Correctional services in Anambra State, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Awka, Agbasimalo’s wife called for a probe of the suspects allegedly behind her husband’s “mysterious disappearance,” but are “visibly living large, even in custody”.

She alleged in the letter dated April 9, and addressed to the Controller of Correctional Services, Anambra State, that the suspects – Chukwudi Odimegwu and Maxwell Nwokolo are always online on the social media, boasting to her and members of her family that the matter was dead on arrival.

She expressed doubts if the accused persons are still in custody, given their mien.

According to her, the suspects were usually brought to the court on mufti and in luxury vehicles without the normal Black Maria that would normally convey such suspects to court.

The petitioner, therefore, urged the authorities of NCoS to look into the matter and ensure justice is served as the family members have been depressed since the abduction of her husband in 2021, while the suspects “continue to live large”.

“There is no sign to suggest that the two suspects are in a correctional facility following their appearances whenever they come to court.

“Findings also showed that the two suspects have sponsors providing all their needs at their disposal throughout their trial period, an indication that they are enjoying all the ransom extorted from our family members.

“The latest now is that they have hired lawyers to canvass for their bail at all cost in a kidnap case that is not bailable,” she said.

She called on the authorities to “take necessary action to avoid creating a general impression that criminal suspects who are remanded in custodial centres for non bailable offences are usually given VIP treatments if they and their sponsors can dance to the tune of the NCoS officials.”

She, however, urged NCoS authorities to ensure that the suspects are in custody and are also stripped of those privileges that they have been allowed to enjoy.

When contacted on phone, the Controller, Anambra Correctional Services, Usifo Joseph, acknowledged the receipt of the letter, promising to act appropriately.

The letter titled: “Petition/Alarm over undue VIP treatment given to two suspects in custody at the Correctional Centre, Nnewi, Anambra State”, was signed by her and on behalf of the Agbasimalo family.

It was also copied to the Comptroller-General of NCoS Headquarters, Abuja, Department of State Services (DSS), Awka, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, the state’s Attorney General and Chairman, Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.