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The Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja on Friday sentenced two males to twenty years imprisonment for the kidnapping of a senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, and homicide of six safety operatives.
The convicts – Kelvin Ezeiegbe and Frank Azuekor – have been stated to have acquired N40 million ransom earlier than releasing the sufferer in 2013.
Mr Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was kidnapped alongside his driver on 23 August 2013 on the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi freeway in Edo State.
4 cops who responded to Mr Ozekhome’s abduction have been ambushed and killed by Messrs Ezeiegbe and Azuekor.
Binta Nyako, the decide, discovered Messrs Ezeiegbe and Azuekor responsible of kidnapping, terrorism and homicide.
Nevertheless, the decide discharged and acquitted Michael Omonigho and Haruna Momoh who have been the third and fourth defendants, respectively.
Ms Nyako stated the prosecution did not substantiate allegations of conspiracy and kidnapping in opposition to Messrs Omonigho and Momoh.
Mr Momoh had escaped from jail at Kuje in Abuja throughout final yr’s jailbreak that led to the escape of a number of inmates.
Handing down the sentence on Friday, Ms Nyako ordered safety businesses to arrest Mr Momoh and put him on trial for escaping from lawful custody.
The convicts have been first arraigned earlier than Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja on 13-count cost in June 2013.
Messrs Ezeiegbe and Azuekor have been tried for conspiracy to commit terrorist act, kidnapping of individuals, inciting individuals to commit act terrorism recruitment and abetting escape.
The offences have been stated to be punishable beneath Part 17 of Terrorism Prevention Act amongst different counts.
Judgement
Reviewing the prosecution’s proof, the decide stated Mr Ozekhome’s “testimony was central to the prosecution’s proof.”
The prosecution led by Chioma Onuegbu, a lawyer on the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, referred to as seven witnesses and tendered 16 displays in help of its case.
Mr Ozekhome, who was the sixth prosecution witness, had informed the court docket that he was kidnapped by Messrs Ezeiegbe and Azuekor in addition to different members of their kidnap ring.
The senior lawyer disclosed that he paid a N40 million ransom to the convicts earlier than he was launched from their dungeon.
He additionally stated he spent three weeks within the kidnappers den.
“Mike Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and swore with the Holy Bible whereas giving his testimony,” the decide recalled.
Ms Nyako stated he was a witness of reality whose testimony couldn’t be ignored.
In cinvicting Messrs Ezeiegbe and Azuekor, the decide additionally relied on a letter from the Delata State Lawyer-Common to the Lawyer-Common of the Federation which stated Mr Azuekor was indicted for a criminal offense within the state previous to his arrest for kidnapping Mr Ozekhome.
She famous that the convicts denial of their confessional statements was immaterial as they didn’t present an alibi for the crimes.
“The primary defendant (Mr Ezeiegbe) aided and abetted the second defendant (Mr Azuekor),” the decide stated of Mr Ezeiegbe and his gang members’ killing of two jail officers who have been escorting Mr Azuekor to court docket in Delta State for an additional felony trial.
Whereas Mr Azuekor was being ferried to court docket for trial in Delta, Mr Ezeiegbe and his armed gang members ambushed a jail automobile, killing two personnel within the course of earlier than setting Mr Azuekor free.
“I discover him (Mr Azuekor) responsible of escaping from lawful custody.
“I discover that the prosecution has confirmed its case. That is very plausible proof,” the decide stated.
“We have to ship proper messages to society that it’s not acceptable to do unhealthy behaviour,” Ms Nyako stated.
“The convicts are hereby sentenced to twenty years imprisonment every. Their jail time period will run from the date of their arrest,” the decide stated.
She ordered the State Safety Service (SSS) who’ve held the convicts for ten years to switch them to a correctional centre.
Background
The convicts have been arrested on 25 September 2013 by a mixed workforce of SSS operatives and the Nigerian military.
Within the decade-long trial, the case journey by way of three judges of the court docket earlier than terminating earlier than Ms Nyako on Friday.
Mr Ademola first adjudicated on the case earlier than it was transferred to a different federal decide, Taiwo Taiwo.
Upon his launch, Mr Ozekhome described his ordeal within the kidnappers den as “horrific,” calling on then federal authorities of President Goodluck Jonathan to tinker with the Nigerian structure with a view to creating state police.
READ ALSO: Kidnapped Benue commissioner freed
The lawyer stated having a decentralised policing system would assist handle violent crimes similar to kidnapping and banditry.
Nevertheless, the federal government paid no heed to Mr Ozekhome’s suggestions.
Kidnapping for ransom has since unfold to each a part of Nigeria.
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