Family Says N50m Was Paid To Free Kebbi High Court Judge

The family of Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza says N50 million was paid before the Kebbi High Court judge was released by his abductors.

The claim adds a new dispute to the judge’s release, which NaijaTrend earlier reported here. The earlier account confirmed his return home, but did not give details of how he was freed.

Daily Post and Daily Trust reported the family’s account on Tuesday. The family said the judge’s abductors initially demanded N100 million before the amount was reduced to N50 million.

The reports said the family rejected any suggestion that security agencies secured the release without payment. They said relatives and close associates raised the money and handed it over before Justice Bunza was freed.

Justice Bunza was abducted from his home in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State after armed men attacked the residence. His release was confirmed earlier this week after about a week in captivity.

Police and other security agencies had not publicly answered the family’s ransom-payment claim in the reports. The allegation raises fresh questions over negotiations in high-profile abduction cases and how official release accounts are presented to the public.

Sources: Daily Post, Daily Trust