BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA-TRADERS in the commercial town of Onitsha Monday held a peaceful demonstration at the Chief Magisterate Court in the area to demand the prosecution of some suspected kidnappers who were part of the gang that allegedly kidnapped an Onitsha business mogul, Chief Godwin Okeke, on August 23, 2009, in Onitsha.

The traders chanted anti-kidnappers and armed robbery songs, wielding placards with inscriptions as “kidnapping and armed robbery back in Anambra State”,”Judiciary should ensure that no kidnapper or armed robber is set free without court prosecution”. “DPP do not release any kidnapper or armed robber without trial at the court.”

The protest by the traders was informed by an allegation that one of the suspects, Mr Amechi Ekweolu, arrested, investigated and  charged to  Chief Magisterate Court, Onitsha,along with eight others by the police, was to be released through a letter by the state Director of Public Prosecution.

Addressing the traders at the court, Chief Okeke thanked them for coming to support him without inviting them, adding that he was against releasing suspects without giving the plaintiff hearing notice.

He said the suspects were originally more than 15, noting that after investigation the police charged nine who they said had a case to answer in connection with his kidnap.

“They were brought to the Magistrate Court for binding over, but out of the nine half of them, some have been released without my knowledge.

“Those released have been calling and threatening me. Today, we have the document from DPP requesting the Magistrate to release one of the suspects, Amechi Ekweolu.

“That is why you see the traders here protesting. It is only in Anambra State that kidnappers and armed robbers are arrested and released without trial,” Okeke said.