A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced three men on charges of kidnapping.
While four individuals faced charges in court for the abduction of the late Chief Abbot Ogbobula in June 2017, only three were convicted, and the fourth suspect was discharged and acquitted.
Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod, were found guilty on four charges, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of the late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Monina Danagogo during the court proceedings held on Thursday.
Speaking to Channels Television, counsel to Goodnews Nwoka (fourth suspect), Augustine Ojekudo, said of his client, “he is very very happy, he was only trying to help and that got him into trouble. He was the CSO of the LGA and even arrested the 1st defendant who he handed over to the police but somehow, he was arrested.”
Speaking further the senior lawyer said, “This has convinced me that the courts are indeed the last hope of the common man and are indeed capable of dispensing justice.”
In June 2017, the late Chief Ogbobula was abducted in Ahoada, taken to Manikin Bush in Degema LGA, and held captive by his abductors, ultimately leading to his demise. His body was initially buried in a shallow grave in the mentioned bush, but it was later unearthed during a police investigation. Four individuals faced a four-count charge, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of the late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
Regarding count one (conspiracy to kidnap), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Defendants were found guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
For count two (kidnapping of Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Defendants were convicted and received a death sentence by hanging.
In relation to count three (conspiracy to murder Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with no option of fine.
Concerning count four (murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula), the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Defendants were convicted and received a death sentence by hanging or lethal injection.0