A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced three men to 14 years imprisonment without the option of fine for the kidnap of an 83-year-old woman identified as Theresa Nwosu at Obite village in Okehi community, Etche Local Council of the State.
The men identified as Kelechi Nnaji, Bright Anele, Onyebuchi Nweke, and Confidence Ozuowu were arrested and arraigned on a three-count charge of kidnapping, conspiracy, and possession of illegal firearms in the incident in 2015.
In his judgment, trial Judge, Justice Boma Diepiri, found Kelechi Nnaji, Bright Anele, and Onyebuchi Nweke, who are the first, second, and third defendants guilty of kidnap and conspiracy, but discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Confidence Ozuowu.
Justice Diepiri said the prosecution was able to prove the case of kidnapping and conspiracy against the convicts beyond every reasonable doubt.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the lawyers for the defendants, Chioma Chukwu and Stanley Amadi-Igwe, noted that there may go ahead to appeal the verdict after understudying it.
Amadi-Igwe said, “The terms of appeal is what I will consider with my clients. But I have to thank the court because it has been a very long run and difficult case. But it is okay.”
The prosecution lawyer from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chidi Eke, said by the laws of Rivers State, the sentence should have been life imprisonment.
“It was a case of kidnapping and conspiracy. Today, the judgment was given. The three of them were convicted and sentenced accordingly, while the fourth defendant was discharged and acquitted.
“As sound as the judgment is, I have a little problem with it, with respect to the sentence. The law provides that upon conviction for kidnapping in Rivers State the punishment is life imprisonment without an option of fine.
“So I was taken aback when the sentence was reduced to 14 years imprisonment for each of them. I will not appeal against that, but I can only appeal against that if they appeal against their conviction; then I will cross-appeal against their sentence,” Eke stated.
