BY NWABUEZE   OKONKWO
ONITSHA — An Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo has adjourned further hearing to Monday, in a charge preferred against seven suspected kidnappers of an Onitsha-based transport magnet and Managing Director of G.U.O. Transport Limited, Chief G. U. Okeke.

The accused persons, Emeka Eze, Chukwudi Agu, Chinonso Maduka, Kelechi Okafor, Ndubuisi Ogbuji, Anthony Okafor and Alexander Onyinanya, were arraigned before an Onitsha Chief Magistrate Court in 2009 and remanded in prison custody for allegedly kidnapping Okeke in the premises of the All Saints Cathedral Anglican Church, Onitsha on August 9, 2009 after a church service.

Before the case was called up, Tuesday, none of the accused persons was brought to the court and on enquiry, the prison officials told the complainant that there was no vehicle to convey them.

When eventually the case was called up, the prosecution counsel, Mr Chris Ajugwe, informed the court of what transpired between the prison officials and the complainant in terms of bringing the accused persons to the court and the presiding Judge, Justice Nwankwo adjourned the matter to May 6, for hearing.

Another High Court in Onitsha, presided over by Justice Pete Obiora had in October, last year, turned down an application for bail filed by Alexander Onyinanya, the seventh accused person in the kidnap saga.

Onyinanya had through his counsel, P. O. Anyaegbunam, applied that he be granted bail in the interest of justice because, according to him, he is presumed to be innocent until the court finds him guilty of the charge.