Alleged Kidnap Of Big Ben: Three Arraigned In Court, Case Adjourned To March 7

AWKA – The case of alleged kidnap of one Benjamin Franklin Ezemma, otherwise known as Big Ben, by three accused persons came up for mention at an Awka court one on Thursday with all three pleading not guilty to the charges.

Mr Ezemma, an estate developer and vice chairman of Dubai estate was said to have been invited to a meeting with some persons at the office of Mango and Lion properties in Awka on November 12,2024 and allegedly got missing.

The wife it was learnt had petitioned the Department of State Security Services (DSS) which swung into investigating the matter and taking some people interrogated into custody.

Three suspects, Ozo Jeff Nweke, Tochukwu Nwokoye and David Chukwuemeka Chukwunonso were later charged by the state at the Awka high court one in charge No:Awk/6c/2025 as first,second and third acussed persons respectively.

They were charged by the state prosecution counsel, Mrs P.N. Ofoma, who is a Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Justice.

The court is presided over by Justice Ike Ogu.

When the matter came up on Thursday,a charge of felony to commit kidnapping was read by the court clerk to the three acussed who were all present.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Alex Ejesieme (SAN), counsel to Ozo Jeff Nweke, the first accused along with counsels to the other accused applied variously to take the defendants on bail.

The court later fixed March 2nd,4th and 30th to enable the applicants argue their bail applications.

No further pleas were taken and the matter was adjourned to March 7,for definite hearing and call of witnesses.

The presiding judge, Justice Ike Ogu further ruled that the defendants who came from their houses should go back to their homes while Tochukwu Nwokoye who was brought from the custody of the correctional Service in Awka should be taken back to the facility.