Tina Amanda
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced to death, three out of nine Defendants involved in the kidnap of Dr. Alexander Akani, a Consultant with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the kidnap and murder of Deyspring Braide, Former Head of Administration, Asari Toru local government Council.
Kingdom Worlu-Chuku, Uchendu Macpherson-Elindah and Obinna Chuku were sentenced to death by hanging on a six-count charge bothering on kidnap and murder of Deyspring Braide, at Degema Local Government Area, in July 2015.
GodKnows Wokem and Promise Jim were sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine, on the count three, four and five charges bothering on conspiracy, and the possession of illegal fire arms.
In his judgement delivery, Justice James Omotosho ruled that in count one of the charge, the five defendants were convicted and sentenced to twenty years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho, ruled that in count two which bothers on seizure, detaining as well as demand of six million naira ransom from Dr. Alexander Akani by the five accused, they were convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The sixth to ninth Defendants who are Henry Elebiga, Destiny Chidiebere-Wosu, Stanley Ibuchi-Wosu and Elizabeth Chuku were discharged and acquitted.
Speaking to our correspondent, Tina Amanda, Opoyebo Barango, Counsel to the two convicted Defendants and the two Defendants who were discharged and acquitted, commended the judge, while stressing that he will consult with the families of his clients to know the next line of action.
He said: “Nine Defendants were charged and four of them were acquitted. Out of the two that were acquitted, two were my clients, but unfortunately two other clients who were also my clients were convicted.
We don’t have any issues. Three of the Defendants were also sentenced to death. We will endeavour to see what further steps we can take to ensure that their sentences will be reduced or mitigated because of their age, so they can come out and become better people”
Recall that the accused were arrested and arraigned by the Department of Security Services under the anti-terrorism act on 20th September, 2017 for kidnapping Dr. Alexander Akani at his residence in Aluu on 28th of June, 2017, while the former Head of Administration of Asari Tori Local Government Council, Deyspring Braide was kidnapped and murdered in 2015.
