Court sentences three to death for kidnapping, murder

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Chief remanded in prison for angrily walking out of witness box, threatening judge



Tina Amanda

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced three convicts, Andy clement Ogbu, Goddrey Handson and Chima Morrison Nwokoma to death by hanging for kidnap and murder of a Former Director of Finance and supply, Ministry of Health, late Charles Wogu, and one Chief Promise wali, in 2012 at Rumuokwuta and Woji communities all in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Enebeli in the judgement that lasted for three hours, held that the prosecution judiciously and substantially proved the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder charges brought against the three convicts.

The Court found them guilty in counts 1 and 2 of the conspiracy charges and count 3,4,6, and 7, noting that he must do what the law demands in line with section 401 and 402 of the Rivers state Administration of justice.

The Judge upheld that the convicts contravened section 1 sub 1 of the state Anti-kidnapping law as well as section 319 of criminal code, as the various laws stipulate hanging by death upon conviction.

Justice Enebeli had earlier in the judgement discharged and acquitted the 3rd defendant, OBINNA OKEREFOR and 6th defendants OGECHI INNOCENT IHUNWO of counts 3,4,6, and 7 of kidnapping charges brought against them, as well as counts 1and 2 of the conspiracy charge information filed by the state Arthoney General who was the prosecution in the eleven-year litigation.