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Tag: Evans

  • Evans’ suit no longer urgent – Judge

    Evans’ suit no longer urgent – Judge

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned the fundamental rights suit filed by suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, till September 21.

    Through a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is praying the court to order his unconditional release from detention or to charge him.

    He is claiming N300million as damages for alleged illegal detention and rights violation.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor, who sits as a vacation judge and considers only urgent applications, said Evans’ suit was no longer urgent.

    He said having been arraigned at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, his suit could be heard when the Federal High Court resumes from its annual long vacation.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who earlier heard the case, had adjourned till August 29 for judgment after parties argued it and adopted their addresses on August 16.

    But, police counsel, Mr. David Igbodo, said a lawyer, Henry Obiazi, who represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police did so without authorisation.

    The police prayed the court to set aside all the “purported” arguments made by Obiazi and set aside the ruling delivered by Justice Anka on August 16 in which he adjourned for judgment.

    A day later, Evans and five others were arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    While Evans and two others pleaded guilty to the charges, the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution said the defendants between February 14 and April 12 along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, captured and detained one Mr. Duru Donatus.

    The defendants allegedly collected a ransom of 223,000 Euros to release Donatus.

    Ogungbeje later issued a statement alleging that Evans was forced to plead guilty.

    “We intend to challenge this unconstitutional procedure of hoodwinking, unduly influencing, brainwashing and coercing an accused into entering a guilty plea against his wish and freewill.

    “Our client (Evans) pointedly told us that having been informed, he will change his ‘police motivated guilty plea’ to ‘not guilty’ at the next adjourned date,” he said.

    Evans trial will begin on October 19.

     

  • Evans in court: I’m guilty

    Evans in court: I’m guilty

    IN a packed court room, kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (aka Evans) yesterday pleaded guilty to a two-count charge.

    He was arraigned by the police before a vacation judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court, for alleged kidnapping of Dunu Donatus, a Lagos businessman.

    Evans was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang, including a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the third defendant; Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba, second, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants.

    The government of Lagos State preferred a two-count charge offence bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping against the suspects, who have been in police custody since June 10.

    The offences are contrary to sections 411 and 271(3) Criminal Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015.

    The prosecution team was led by Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem.  Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje led the defence team.

    The court registrar read the charges after Justice Oshodi’s arrival at about 9.30am.

    In count one, the defendants were alleged to have “on February 14, 2017, at about 7.45pm along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, conspired to commit felony to wit kidnapping.”

    In count two, they were alleged to have “between February 14 and April 12, 2017, along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos,  while armed with guns and other weapons, captured detained and collected a ransom of 223,000 Euros from one Dunu Donatus for release”.

    The charge sheet  was signed by the state Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms. T. K. Shitta-Bey.

    Evans, Amadi and Nwachukwu entered a guilty plea.

    His other three accomplices, Uchechukwu, Ifeanyi and Aduba, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Kazeem asked the court for adjournment for trial of those who pleaded not guilty.

    In respect of Evans and two others who entered guilty plea, he said the adjournment would enable the prosecution lay the facts of the matter before them for their affirmation and the court for sentencing.

     Justice Oshodi remanded all the defendants at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

     The only woman amongst them, Ogechi Uchechukwu was remanded at the Female Prison, Kirikiri.

     Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till October 19 for trial.

    Speaking with reporters after the arraignment, which lasted less than 30 minutes, the Lagos attorney-general expressed satisfaction with the way the trial began.

    •Evans (left) and others…yesterday

    But Ogungbeje disagreed. He said he suspected that his clients (Evans and other two) may have been ‘misadvised’ to enter a guilty plea.

    Ogungbeje said: “For now, let’s wait and see what happens. But the point must be made that we were not allowed to confer with our clients.

    “For now, whether we are satisfied or not, we would keep our gun powder dry.”

    Court sources said Evans and others were driven into the Ikeja High Court premises as earlier as 6.00am amid tight security by prison officials, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in full combat gear.

    Evans and his suspected accomplices were said to have been taken straight into the courtroom after the police had swept the floors.

     At about 7.30am, scores of Lagosians started trooping into the court premises to catch a glimpse of the billionaire kidnapper.

    The court premises was under tight security by policemen on horse backs, most of who were handling dogs.

    Each of the three-floor court building was secured by the police.

    Evans was clean-shaved, looking well-nourished and dressed in a clean pink stripped shirt on a pair of black trousers over a pair of bathroom slippers. He was the first to be called into the dock.

    Others were called into the dock in order of their names on the charge sheet.

    The court room was filled beyond capacity with reporters, from local and international media organisations and the police.

    About three hours after the trial ended, Evans and others were brought out of the court room in-between two walls of security men into a waiting Prisons van.

    As they were being driven away, most of the people in the crowd brought out their phones and stood on their cars and raised platforms to record their departure amid salutations of “Oro baba o”.

  • Evans in court, pleads guilty to kidnap charges

    Evans in court, pleads guilty to kidnap charges

    Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, was on Wednesday arraigned before a vacation judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly kidnapping one Dunu Donatus.

    Evans was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang which included a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the third defendant.

    Others are – Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba.

    They are second, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants respectively.

    The accused persons have been in police custody since June 10.

    The Lagos State government had preferred a two- count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping against them.

    The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 411 and 271(3) Criminal Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under same.

    The prosecution team was led by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem while the defence was led by Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje.

    At 9:30 a.m., Justice Oshodi entered the court room while the court registrar proceeded to read the charges thereafter.

    In count one, the defendants were alleged to have “on February 14, 2017 at 7:45 p.m. along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, conspired to commit felony to wit kidnapping.”

    In count two, they were alleged to have, “between February 14 and April 12, 2017along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, while armed with guns and other weapons did capture, detain and collect a ransom of 223,000 Euros from one Dunu Donatus for release.”

    The charge sheet, ID/5970c/2017 was signed by the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms T. K. Shitta-Bey.

    Evans, Amadi and Nwachukwu entered a guilty plea.

    His other three accomplices – Uchechukwu, Ifeanyi and Aduba pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Kazeem asked the court for adjournment for trial of those who pleaded not guilty.

    In respect of Evans and two others who entered guilty plea, he said the adjournment would enable prosecution lay the facts of the matter before them for their affirmation and the court for sentencing.

    Justice Oshodi remanded all the defendants at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

    The only female amongst them, Ogechi Uchechukwu was remanded at the Female Prison, Kirikiri.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till October 19 for trial.

    After the arraignment of the suspect that lasted less than 30 minutes, the Attorney General told journalists that he was satisfied with the way the trial commenced.

    But Ogungbeje disagreed.

    He suspected that Evans and other two may have been told to enter a guilty plea.

    “For now, let’s wait and see what happens. But the point must be made that we were not allowed to confer with our clients.

    “For now, whether we are satisfy or not, we would keep our gun powder dry,” he said.

    Court sources said Evans and others were driven into the court premises as early as 6:00 a.m. amidst tight security by prison officials, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) personnel in full combat gear.

     

  • Kidnap suspect Evans to be arraigned today

    Kidnap suspect Evans to be arraigned today

    •Police application stalls judgment in N300m suit 

    LAGOS STATE will today arraign suspected kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the High Court in Ikeja.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem will lead the prosecution team, it was learnt yesterday.

    This is as the Police yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that it did not authorise any lawyer to represent it in the case filed by Evans.

    The suspected kidnapper, through a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, is praying the court to order his unconditional release from detention or to charge him.

    He is claiming N300 million as damages for illegal detention and rights violation.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka had adjourned till yesterday for judgment after parties argued the case and adopted their addresses on August 16.

    As the case was called for judgment to be delivered, police counsel Mr. David Igbodo said he filed a fresh application in which the police claimed it was not given a fair hearing.

    The lawyer, who is the Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Section at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police (first and second respondents).

    He said the lawyer, Henry Obiazi, who earlier argued the case on behalf of the police, was not instructed to represent the IGP or the police.

    In the pending application, which was filed on August 21, the police are praying the court to set aside the “purported” arguments made by Obiazi in the case.

    They are also praying the court to set aside the ruling delivered by Justice Anka on August 16 in which he adjourned for judgment.

    Igbodo said the judge adjourned the case without hearing from the first and second respondents, claiming they were not served with the suit.

    Among the prayers in the application is an order granting leave to the IGP and the Police to file their counter-affidavits to the suit and for the court to consider their responses duly filed and served.

    “We believe my Lord understands the principle of fair hearing. We are ready to move the application,” he said.

    But, Ogungbeje urged the judge to go ahead and deliver the judgment.

    He said the application was a bid by the police to stall the verdict and should, therefore, be refused.

    “We have not been served with that application. On August 16, 2017, arguments were taken from all parties and your Lordship graciously reserved today (yesterday) for judgment.

    “It is our strong view that this application is calculated to arrest the judgment. The assertion that we refused service of the fresh application cannot be true when judgment has already been reserved,” he said.

    Justice Anka said he could not go on with the judgment in the face of the fresh application.

    He adjourned further proceedings till September 5.

  • Updated: Police application stalls judgment in Evan’s suit

    Updated: Police application stalls judgment in Evan’s suit

    The Police on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that it did not authorise any lawyer to represent it in the case filed by suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans.

    The suspected kidnapper, through a Lagos lawyer Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, is praying the court to order his unconditional release from detention or charge him.

    He is claiming N300million as damages for illegal detention and rights violation.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka had adjourned till Tuesday for judgment after parties argued the case and adopted their addresses on August 16.

    As the case was called for judgment to be delivered, police counsel, Mr. David Igbodo, said he filed a fresh application in which the police claimed it was not given a fair hearing.

    The lawyer, who is the Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Section at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police (first and second respondents).

    He said the lawyer, Henry Obiazi, who earlier argued the case on behalf of the police, was not instructed to represent the IGP or the police.

    In the pending application which was filed on August 21, the police is praying the court to set aside all the “purported” arguments made by Obiazi in the case.

    The Force is also praying the court to set aside the ruling delivered by Justice Anka on August 16 in which he adjourned for judgment.

    Igbodo said the judge adjourned the case without hearing from the first and second respondents, claiming they were not served with the suit.

    Among the prayers in the application is an order granting leave to the IGP and the police to file their counter-affidavits to the suit and for the court to consider their responses duly filed and served.

    “We believe my Lord understands the principle of fair hearing. We are ready to move the application,” he said.

    But, Ogungbeje urged the judge to go ahead and deliver the judgment.

    He said the application was a bid by the police to stall the verdict and should, therefore, be refused.

    “We have not been served with that application. On the 16th of August 2017, arguments were taken from all parties and your Lordship graciously reserved today (Tuesday) for judgment.

    “It is our strong view that this application is calculated to arrest the judgment. The assertion that we refused service of the fresh application cannot be true when judgment has already been reserved,” he said.

    Justice Anka said he could not go on with the judgment in the face of the fresh application.

    He adjourned further proceedings till September 5.

  • Court adjourns Evans’ suit till September 5

    Court adjourns Evans’ suit till September 5

    Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned till September 5 the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, against the police.

    The court had earlier fixed August 29 for ruling on the matter, but Justice Justice Abdulaziz Anka fixed a new date after the police filed applications seeking to set aside the delivering of the judgment among others.

    Details Later…

  • Evans knows fate August 29

    Evans knows fate August 29

    A Lagos Federal High Court will on August 29 deliver judgment in a N300million suit filed by suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, against the police. Evans in praying the court to declare his detention illegal.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka fixed the date yesterday after taking arguments from Evans’ counsel Olukoya Ogungbeje and lawyers for the police.

    The judge dismissed the police claim that the suit was not ripe for hearing. He also rejected the N300,000 “punitive costs” sought against Ogungbeje for alleged wrongful service.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Commissioner of Police (CP) Lagos State and Lagos Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are the respondents in the case.

    Counsel for both the IGP and the NPF, Henry Obiazi, urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of merit.

    He said the case had to do with murder, armed robbery and kidnapping, which were all capital offences.

    Citing Section 35 (7) of the Constitution, Obiazi argued that Evans’ fundamental rights were not absolute, adding that the ‘billionaire kidnapper’ would soon be arraigned by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    “Though the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of every Nigerian citizen, these rights are not absolute, particularly, when they have to do with capital offences. I urge the court to hold that the application is unmeritorious and dismiss it”, Obiazi said.

    The CP’s and SARS’, Counsel Emmanuel Eze, argued that Evans had not shown any cause of action against his clients.

    He claimed that Evans was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) set up by the IGP and not by his clients.

    Eze faulted claims that the applicant was subjected to media trial, saying no material fact was placed before the court in that regard.

    According to him, the nature of the offences allegedly committed by Evans was conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.

    Besides, he alleged that before his arrest, Evans was involved in many robberies, including series of attacks on bullion vans and many policemen were killed.

    “My Lord, it is not up to 90 days that the applicant was arrested. Besides, there is an order of the court for his remand. The applicant is an international kidnapper terrorising states across the country.

    “I urge the court to dismiss this application with punitive costs so as to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to file such frivolous applications in future”, Eze said.

    But, Ogungbeje urged the court to hold that the respondents had run foul of the law by detaining Evans since last June 10.

    He faulted the respondents’ arguments that a suspect accused of committing a capital offence can be detained without a court’s order.

    According to him, the assertion may be applicable only at the point where the suspect is seeking bail after his arraignment.

    “The proper thing for the respondents to do is to have the applicant arraigned and then inform the court about the capital nature of the offence upon which he may then be remanded in their custody”, he said.

    Evans is seeking an order that the police charge him to court or release him on bail and pay him N300million damages for his alleged unlawful detention.

  • Police detention: Evans knows fate August 29

    Police detention: Evans knows fate August 29

    A Federal High Court in Lagos will on August 29 deliver judgment in a N300million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, challenging his continued detention by the police.
    Justice Abdul-Azeez Anka fixed the date on Wednesday after taking arguments from Evans’ lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje and lawyers for the police.
    The judge dismissed an argument by the police on Tuesday that the suit was not ripe for hearing, as well as the N300,000 punitive costs sought against Ogungbeje for alleged wrongful service, paving way for parties to state their case.
    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Commissioner of Police (COP) Lagos State and Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are the first to fourth respondents.
    Counsel for both the IGP and the NPF, Henry Obiazi, urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of merit.
    He said the case had to do with murder, armed robbery and kidnapping, which were all capital offences.
    Citing Section 35 (7) of Constitution, Obiazi argued that Evans’ fundamental rights were not absolute, adding that the ‘billionaire kidnapper’ would soon be arraigned by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
    “Though the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of every Nigerian citizen, these rights are not absolute, particularly, when they have to do with capital offences. I urge the court to hold that the application is unmeritorious and dismiss it”, Obiazi said.
    In his submissions, lawyer representing the COP and SARS, Emmanuel Eze, argued that Evans had not shown any cause of action against his clients.
    He claimed that Evans was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) set up by the IGP and not by any of his clients.
    Eze faulted claims that the applicant was subjected to media trial saying no material fact was placed before the court in that regard.
    According to him, the nature of the offences allegedly committed by Evans were conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.
    Besides, he alleged that prior to his arrest, Evans was involved in many robberies, including series of attacks on bullion vans where many policemen lost their lives.
    “My lord, it is not up to 90 days that the applicant was arrested. Besides, there is an order of the court for his remand. The applicant is an international kidnapper terrorizing states across the country.
    “I urge the court to dismiss this application with punitive costs so as to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to file such frivolous application in the future”, Eze said.
    But, opposing their arguments, Ogungbeje, urged the court to hold that the respondents had run foul of the law by detaining Evans since last June 10.
    He faulted the respondents’ arguments that a suspect suspected of committing a capital offence can be detained without a court’s order.
    According to him, the assertion may be applicable only at the point where the suspect is seeking bail after his arraignment.
    “The proper thing for the respondents to do is to have the applicant arraigned and then inform the court about the capital nature of the offence upon which he may then be remanded in their custody”, he said.
    After listening to parties’ submissions, Justice Anka adjourned till August 29 for judgment.

    In the suit, Evans, through Ogungbeje, is seeking an order directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release him on bail.

    He said his detention since last June 10 without charge was a violation of his fundamental rights enshrined in sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the Constitution.

    For his alleged unlawful detention, Evans wants the court to award N300m damages against the police in his favour.

  • Police seek N.3m cost against Evans’ lawyer

    Police seek N.3m cost against Evans’ lawyer

    Police on Tuesday asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to compel counsel to suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, to pay a punitive cost of N300,000 for alleged wrongful service.

    Evans, through Ogungbeje, has filed a N300million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), alleging wrongful detention.

    Joined as respondents in the suit are the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Commissioner of Police in Lagos  and the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as second, third and fourth respondents respectively.

    The suit was stalled before Justice Abdulaziz Anka at the last hearing on July 20, following Ogungbeje’s failure to comply with a July 13 order to pay the police N20,000 as costs.

    However, at the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday, Ogungbeje informed Justice Anka that the costs were paid on August 10.

    The counsel said he had complied with the court’s order to serve the respondents and that the matter was ripe for hearing.

    But counsel to the police commissioner and SARS, Emmanuel Eze, opposed him.

    Eze, who explained the absence of counsel to the IGP and NPF, argued that Ogungbeje failed to serve them in Abuja as directed by the judge.

    He said: “It is not true that the matter is ripe for hearing. This is a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by the applicant.

    “He has not got the leave of court for the matter to be heard during vacation. That is the condition precedent to hearing any matter during vacation.”

    Relying on Section 215 of the Constitution and Order 5 Rule 8 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, Eze argued that the Lagos police commissioner and the IGP were distinct personalities.

    Ogungbeje, he stated, had only served the police commissioner at Alagbon in Lagos but had yet to serve the IGP in Abuja.

    He added: “Our submission is that he has not taken steps to clothe this court with jurisdiction to hear this case.”

    “Since Ogungbeje has refused to do the right thing, we are asking the court for costs of N300, 000.”

    But countering him, Ogungbeje maintained that the IGP and NPF were served on June 29 at the addresses contained on the originating motion and the proof of service was in the court’s file.

    Justice Anka adjourned the matter till Wednesday for ruling.

  • Evans: More wealthy kidnap suspects arrested

    Evans: More wealthy kidnap suspects arrested

    Ongoing police investigation of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has revealed that he was also involved in crimes in South Africa, it was gathered yesterday.

    That is besides his alleged illegal procurement of a Ghanaian passport that bears his passport photograph but a Ghanaian name.

    Police spokesman, Mr. Moshood Jimoh, told The Nation that the investigation has also led to the arrest of more associates of Evans who were found to be probably wealthier and living bigger than him.

    Evans is spending his second month in police custody and is expected to be formally charged within the next one month, Jimoh said.

    He said:”You may recall that a Federal High Court granted us a three month remand warrant for Evans. We are just into the second month now and before the expiration of the third month, it is expected that we should be taking him to court.

    “The little time is to ensure that we conduct a thorough and detailed investigation.

    “This is somebody that committed crimes across several states and even went outside Nigeria.

    “You may recall that he illegally acquired a Ghanaian passport with a Ghanaian name but with his passport photograph.

    “He was also fingered for involvement in other crimes in South Africa and other places. So we need a little time to properly round things up and ensure that he is properly prosecuted because Nigerians will not be happy if we lose such a case in court on the basis of technical matters.”

    He said relations of former victims of Evans’ are among those being detained by the police.

    They are suspected of giving information about the former kidnap victims to Evans.

    He advised the public to be security conscious at all times to avoid falling prey to kidnappers.

    His words: “He (Evans) did things with lots of such people and we have lots of suspects who had collaborated with him in one way or the other; we even have other prime suspects apart from those that were arrested with him and paraded.

    “In the course of this investigation we have other prime suspects including people who broke away from Evans’ gang to start their own gang – they left Evans to go and do a similar (kidnapping) business.

    “Some of the suspects we later picked after detectives’ interactions with Evans are even living larger than Evans.

    “We are going to ensure that we don’t make things public until we gather all our evidence towards securing a conviction in court.

    “I won’t give you figures but they are many suspects; there are a lot of accomplices, lots of former gang members and lots of other people that have in one way or the other facilitated the offences committed by Evans and others.

    “There is a special group of criminal suspects that are referred to as ‘catchers’; in criminal syndicates, they are the people that identify targets and give information about innocent, law-abiding people and more of such suspects are being rounded up.

    “Part of our investigation reveals that Evans himself jogs round the estate where he lives every morning and uses that opportunity to assess information on those potential victims that have what they describe as ‘kidnap value’.

    “It was after his arrest that some of his surprised neighbours realized that it was this man that used to jog around; that is why security-consciousness necessitates that every citizen should be alert and see things beyond their noses now.

    “Sometimes, it is easy to jeopardise your security by being a good Samaritan through acts like offering someone a lift in your car because there are persons who can take advantage of your kind or welcoming nature.

    “All citizens equally need to know where potential help can come from in security emergency situations like where police or other security people are located, the right telephone numbers to call and so on.

    “The Inspector-General of Police is taking the battle to criminals but maximum security is achieved through the alertness of everybody in the interest of everybody and such attitude goes a long way to prevent many people from becoming victims of criminality.”