Akunyili’s brother: Police nab suspected kidnapper

[b]An officer in the Nigerian Army, Uhallah Chinedu, a.k.a. "Onye Army", suspected to be among the kidnappers of Dr. Francis Edemobi, younger brother to the Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili last December, has been nabbed by the police.

Confirming the arrest yesterday, the Enugu State Police Command said the suspect was arrested by the military authorities shortly after the incident late last year, after which he was court-marshaled, tried and dismissed from the army having confessed his involvement in the kidnap of Edemobi.

The suspect, according to the police, was formally handed over to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the State Police Command on Wednesday by the military authorities for necessary action.[/b]Chinedu’s arrest has however introduced another dimension to the kidnap saga since he reportedly confessed to have actively participated in the crime but at the same time denied knowing Chief Ignatius Nnubia, the oil magnate who along with two members of his staff was arrested by the police and are currently facing trial over the matter.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amarizu, who confirmed to our correspondent the hand over of "Onye Army" to the police command, said the suspect had been on the wanted list of the police, and that he was apprehended by the military which court-marshaled him according to the military tradition.

He said that having been found guilty by the military, "Onye Army" was accordingly dismissed from the force to pave way for his trial in a civil court.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was handed over to the SARS which has been handling the matter, adding that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.
Amarizu confirmed that "Onye Army" has actually confessed to the crime, and had made useful revelations that would help the police to determine the involvement or otherwise of those already being tried in connection with the kidnap of Edemobi.

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