After 4 years of prosecution, court sentences kidnapper to death by hanging

 Justice Mabel Omovie of Asaba High Court in the Asaba Judicial Division has sentenced one Gomina Peter to death by hanging and acquitted Shina Nwoko in the same case.

The first and second accused persons, Shina Nwoko and Gomina Peter, were arraigned on April 7, 2014 on a nine-count charge.
The crimes for which they were accused include conspiracy to commit felony to kidnapping, punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C21 vol. 1, Laws of Delta state 2006; kidnapping punishable under section 4 (1)of the Delta state Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Law, No.8 Laws of the Delta state 2013.

Others are armed robbery punishable under section 1 (2) a of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R. 11, Vol.14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and abuse punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap C21, volume 1 Laws of Delta, 2006.

According to the prosecution, on September 8, 2013, two ladies, Peace Awele Monye and Isioma Otime, were travelling in a friend’s car when they heard a gunshot at Onicha-Ugbo junction, a rural community in Aniocha North area of Delta state at about 9 pm.

NAIJ.com gathered that they were intercepted by a car whose occupants ordered them to come down from their car, after dispossessing them of their phones at gun point.

They were moved into another car, asked to bend their heads while they drove off, and after 30 to 45 minutes, they got to a bush where they alighted from the vehicle.

The duo testified that they saw the 1st accused person there, who tied their hands before leading them into the bush. After walking for some time in the bush, they were blindfolded.

The abductors demanded N10, 000,000 ransom, which was later brought down to N5, 000,000. PW 1 and PW2 further averred that they were released on September 20, 2015 by the kidnappers after N1,100,000 ransom was paid.

They equally testified that they were continuously abused from the day of adoption till when they were released.

At the close of evidence, counsels to 1st and 2nd accused persons submitted that the prosecution has failed to prove the offences against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt, urging the court to discharge and acquit them on all the counts.

Citing copious judicial authorities, Justice Omovie sentenced the 2nd accused person, Gomina Peter, to death by hanging for conspiracy to kidnapping, punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Delta State, 2006.