Reverend Father, three others remanded in prison over alleged kidnap

A magistrate court sitting in Enugu has remanded a catholic priest, the Rev. Fr. James Ani in prison custody over his alleged involvement in armed robbery and kidnapping.
Also arraigned alongside the priest were Ugwu Marcel, Obasi Felix and Nobert Eke and some other members of his Parish at Mmaku, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
They were docked before the court on Tuesday, on a four count charge of armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, among others.
The police alleged that the accused persons had on September 18, 2013 at Imeohia Mmaku village in Awgu, while armed with offensive weapons such as cutlasses and sticks attempted unlawfully to kill one inspector Cosmos Nzeribe and a team of police officers attached to police headquarters Enugu.

In the second charge, the suspects were charged for unlawful assault on police officers that went to perform their lawful duty, adding that the officers were also prevented from carrying out their duties.
The third charge read that the suspects had on the same date, time and venue willfully and unlawfully damaged a Toyota Corolla car, with registration number KPP 450 XA.
They were equally alleged to have allegedly willfully and unlawfully damaged a Toyota Corolla with registration number XY 770 ENU.
When the case was called up, the suspects pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
The latest development is the peak of the crisis that has bedeviled Mmaku community since the beginning of this year.