Awka — THE Federal High Court sitting in Awka, yesterday, remanded an Nnewi-based business magnate, Chief Pius Ogbuawa, and 20 others in prison custody over allegation of conspiracy in the kidnap of two Chinese in 2007.

They are to remain in custody till August 5, 2010 when their applications for bail will be heard.

Businessman remanded with MASSOB members

Ogbuawa and the other suspects, who are mainly members of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra , MASSOB, were arraigned for allegedly abducting Mr. Niu Quijan and Mr. Shey Feng, Chinese nationals, who worked for another Nnewi-based company, Innoson group.

The charge sheet

The charge sheet read in part: " *That you, on the 17th of March between Nnewi, Anambra State, and Ekoli Edda, Ebonyi State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired among yourselves to commit felony to wit-treason and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37(2) of the criminal code C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004;

*That between the months of March and April 2007 at Nnewi, Anambra State, and Ekoli-Adda, Ebonyi State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, with arms and ammunition abducted Mr. Niu Quijang and Shey Fend, Chinese nationals, whom you alleged entered into the State of Biafra without visas and, thereafter, engaged the security in a gun duel while holding captive the Chinese nationals and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37(1) of the criminal code Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004;

*That you Pius Ogbuawa, between the months of March and April, 2007, at Nnewi, Anambra State, knowingly haboured and provided assistance to the above- named accused persons even when you know that the security agents were searching for them and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 40(a) of the criminal code Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004."