A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has rendered a verdict, finding three individuals guilty of kidnapping charges.
The case, pertaining to the abduction of Chief Abbot Ogbobula in June 2017, saw four suspects brought to trial. Ultimately, only three – Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod – were convicted, while the fourth suspect was acquitted.
The trial, presided over by Justice Monina Danagogo on Thursday, resulted in the conviction of the aforementioned trio on four counts, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and the murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
In response to the verdict, Augustine Ojekudo, the legal representative for the acquitted suspect, Goodnews Nwoka, expressed his client’s relief, stating that Nwoka had been attempting to assist but found himself entangled in legal trouble.
Ojekudo emphasized the happiness of his client and praised the court, stating, “This has convinced me that the courts are indeed the last hope of the common man and are indeed capable of dispensing justice.”
The kidnapping of Chief Ogbobula took place in Ahoada in June 2017, with the victim subsequently taken to Manikin Bush in Degema LGA, where he was held captive and ultimately lost his life at the hands of the abductors. The body was initially buried in a shallow grave but was later unearthed during a police investigation.
The court proceedings resulted in varying sentences for the convicted individuals. For the conspiracy to kidnap (count one), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants were sentenced to seven years imprisonment with no option of a fine. Concerning the kidnapping charge (count two), they were sentenced to death by hanging.
In the case of conspiracy to murder (count three), the same defendants received a 14-year prison term with no option of fine. Finally, for the murder charge (count four), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants were sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection.
(Channels Tv)