By EDITH NWAPI

Justice Ngozi Nwabulu of an Abuja High Court on Monday remanded two friends in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for alleged culpable homicide.

The police charged Acha Michael and Abigal Vincent, both residents of Apo, Abuja with conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide.

Justice Nwabulu ordered that Michael should be taken to the Nigerian Medium Security Custodian Centre in Kuje while Vincent should be remanded in the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Suleja, Niger.

The trial judge adjourned the matter until Sept. 24 for trial.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Ridwan Mohammed, told the court that the first defendant, Michael conspired with the second defendant between April 24 and April 29 to kidnap a 21-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka.

He told the court that Chukwuemeka, now deceased, was taken to the Apo Hill for special prayer.

Mohammed alleged that Chukwuemeka was murdered there, while the first defendant made a call to the deceased’s mother asking for N5 million ransom.

The prosecution counsel told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 221 and 274 of the Penal Code Law and punishable by death.

They defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defendants were represented by Ms Kate Nwaigbo. (NAN)