By Anayo Okoli

Umuahia—THE Transition Committee chairman of Ukwa West Council of Abia State, Chief Henry Nwokemgbede, who was appointed barely a month ago, was Wednesday arraigned before an Abia Magistrate Court sitting in Umuahia, charged for aiding and abetting kidnapping in the state.

Arraigned with Nwokemgbede were 37 others, comprising 13 males and 24 females.

They were all charged for aiding and abetting kidnapping by not giving police information when they were allegedly aware that some persons, names unknown, were being kidnapped or held hostage in their various communities but failed to disclose the place to the police within reasonable time.

For failing to do this, the police prosecutor alleged that they had committed an offence under section 3(c) of the Prohibition of Terrorism Law of Abia State.

Among the suspects were young girls, old women and old men who were arrested last week at Ugwunagbo council area of the state.

The said law made last year by the State House of Assembly makes kidnapping a capital offence, and any person found guilty of aiding and abetting kidnapping is also subjected to some very harsh punishment.

In some cases, they were alleged to have allowed their houses to be used as places for holding kidnap victims’ hostage.

The suspects, who did not make any plea, were remanded in prison custody.

While the case of the other 37 suspects was adjourned to October 10, 2010, the case of the chairman was adjourned to October 26, 2010.

Unconfirmed sources alleged that the council chairman was very close to some kidnapping kingpins.

It was also alleged that the kidnappers usually provide him security whenever he moved out.

The same unconfirmed sources also claimed that when the appointment of the transition committee members were being made, threat text messages ,suspected to be coming from kidnappers, demanded that Nwokemgbede be made the chairman for Ukwa West Council.