ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Three kidnappers, Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward, have been sentenced to death by hanging, by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court, for armed robbery, kidnapping and murder of one Ephraim Akhere.
Justice Irele-Ifijeh stated that the offences were punishable under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013, and the Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Act.
The victim was kidnapped on June 13, 2014, at Ihumudumu Quarters, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
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Also, Justice Irele-Ifijeh sentenced Oviasogie Sunday, alias Alhaji of Kano, to life imprisonment for receiving Akhere’s vehicle which was stolen after his murder.
The four persons were among the six people arraigned on six counts of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and receipt of stolen property, among others, according to Nation.
Meanwhile, two other suspects – David Williams and Monday Ozomo – were discharged for lack of evidence linking them to the crimes.
In her 91-page judgment, Justice Irele-Ifijeh said the confessional statements of Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward that they participated in the robbery, was corroborated by the evidence of Sandra, a prosecution witness, who was in the same vehicle, and kidnapped with the late Akhere.