Harrison Gwamnishu’s lawyer explains events surrounding the alleged ₦5.4 million missing from Edo couple’s ₦20 million ransom, addressing public accusations.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has come under renewed public scrutiny following fresh details shared by his lawyer concerning the reported ₦5.4 million shortfall in the ₦20 million ransom raised for the release of an abducted Edo couple.
The latest development surfaced after Ossai Ovie Success, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor, published an account on his Facebook page, which he said was obtained directly from Gwamnishu’s legal representative.
This new narrative emerges amid a wave of online allegations, counterclaims, unverified statements, and heated debates accusing the activist of diverting funds meant for the victims’ ransom.
According to the family of the kidnapped couple, the full ₦20 million was entrusted to Harrison to deliver to the kidnappers.
However, when the abductors counted the money, they allegedly discovered that ₦5.4 million was missing, prompting them to release only the pregnant wife while refusing to free her husband.
This situation intensified public suspicion, with many social media users questioning what happened to the missing amount.
Gwamnishu has vehemently denied any form of misconduct. He maintained that he followed his established procedures for negotiating with kidnappers and insisted that he did not tamper with the ransom money at any point.
The activist also dismissed the allegations as deliberate attempts to tarnish his reputation.
In response to the spreading claims, Harrison’s lawyer has now provided a detailed explanation of the events surrounding the ransom delivery and the contentious deduction.
His statement, as shared online, aims to clarify his client’s actions and address the widespread confusion surrounding the incident.
Below is the account reportedly provided by the lawyer.
- Ossai wrote, “I just got off the phone with Harrison Gwamnishu’s lawyer. A lot has been said and done in real life investigation. Now, HARRISON’s CONFESSION👇🏽👇🏽
📌 That his modus operandi is to get a prototype look alike cash where he inserts the chip for tracking as our cash is too light to carry the chip.
📌 So before ransom is paid they remove a huge part of the money and replace it with the prototype money because the chip can only sit well on the fake money. The removed money will be given back to the family after a successful operation.
📌 That he did this in the presence of the family member who was in the room with him. Now, the family member was called to answer and he claimed that Harrison was backing him and so he didn’t see what he was doing…🙄 Hmmm na so Harrison back thick to occupy and cover all the space that you couldn’t see abi? Na God go judge you.🙄
📌 When he entered the bush at midnight to deliver the ransom the bandits were all wearing mask despite the fact that eveywhere was very dark they were pointing guns and touchlights at him and other victims family who also entered the bush with him to pay ransom for the release of their loved ones. There are other kidnapped victims who are in the custody of the bandits.
📌 After he gave them the ransom only the the Pregnant Woman was released to him and the man was begging for forgiveness from his younger brother according to him he was saying that his brother should forgive him. Remember that this couple were kindnapped from their home…. Could it be an insider job???🤷🏻♀️ It was this same brother that first raise the alarm that the money was not complete. 1+1=🤡
📌 After the operation they went to the police station in Auchi to give report. Harrison when confronted about the money hesitated to tell them about his modus operandi, but when the family started threatening him, he told them and the police how he operates and he was asked to bring the money… He went to his hotel room took the money he kept aside and handed it over to the police in Auchi, Edo State that same day before leaving the town.
📌 Harrison begged that none of this should enter social media until after the man had been released but shockingly, the family went on social media and the dragging started. They claimed he was on the run and his car was seized by the police.
📌 Harrison then made a rebuttal to state that no money was taken (he didn’t go into details), his car was not seized by the police but rather he left his car there for safety as the people were already threatening him and he didn’t want them to trail him and injure him on his way home.
📌 Harrison went on his own to SCID EDO COMMAND at Benin city for further investigation and the police there brought out the money and made him act like he was returning it so they can snap him and which they did🤦🏻♀️ A Money he had returned in Auchi voluntarily suddenly became a tool of amusement for them.
📌 After that, they prepared a search warrant claiming that they searched his hotel room at Auchi and recovered the money and were forcing him to sign the warrant and he refused. Now after 48 hours of the hand over they want him to sign a warrant that I was them that recovered the money. At that point his Lawyer vehemently refused him signing that warrant and he was locked up in the police cell.
📌 The 14 days remained that is flying on social media by propagandist NEVER HAPPENED.
📌 Harrison inserted a chip inside a prototype money that was mixed with the ransom paid for the release of the pregnant woman and according to him, the chip is still very active cos from his system he can still see where the kidnappers are and he is willing to assist the police track the bandits down and release the Man.
📌 But instead of talking about how to go into the bush and face the bandits, they are all focused on Harrison. The #5.4m is with the police so why can’t the police or the family of the man go into the bush to rescue the man???
On my own i will advise Harrison to not enter that bush again. He should allow the police do their work.
I understand the bad blood between him and some powers that be and competitors in the game and thats why the whole thing is looking somehow and he is being judged by his past ugly shortcomings.
However, person no dey bad finish and so i will hang on to the one good Harrison has done in his life and until a court of competent jurisdiction finds him guilty… i will not throw him under the bus.
It’s very shameful that a private citizen is the one who interfaces with bandits while the police sits in their office. The family be playing with their brother’s life.
NB: This is a first hand account of what i gathered from Harrison’s lawyer this Beautiful Saturday morning. Thank You🙏
Barr Awele Ideal wrote:
#AweleChukwukaumemma💞
I am really disappointed in you calling Harrison bad names
About the Author
