Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 20-year in prison to the individuals who kidnapped Prof. Mike Ozekhome and Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha.
During the judgment, Justice Nyako found Kelvin Oniarah and Frank Azuekor guilty of charges related to kidnapping and terrorism. Consequently, she sentenced them to 20 years in prison.
However, the Judge acquitted Micheal Omonigho, a shrine priest, who was also brought to trial alongside the convicted individuals.
Justice Nyako noted that some of the 14 counts against the convicts could have led to life imprisonment, but she exercised her discretion to impose a 20-year sentence, counting from the date of their arrest.
Before issuing her verdict, the Judge allowed the defendants an opportunity to request leniency.
The defendants implored the court to impose the minimum sentences on them. They argued that they had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for a decade and were grappling with serious health issues.
Justice Binta Nyako, presiding over the trial, reminded the defendants that facing disadvantages in society does not justify engaging in criminal activities. She emphasized that no one has the right to take out their frustrations on fellow citizens.
Furthermore, she noted that while the gravity of their offense typically warrants either the death penalty or life imprisonment, she took into account the fact that they had been in the custody of the DSS since 2013.