Three men have been convicted and sentenced by a High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for their involvement in a kidnapping case. The court found Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod guilty on charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
It is worth noting that out of the four suspects initially arraigned, one was discharged and acquitted. The trial, presided over by Justice Monina Danagogo, took place on Thursday. Augustine Ojekudo, the counsel to the discharged suspect, expressed his client’s happiness and belief in the court system’s ability to dispense justice.
The incident occurred in June 2017 when Chief Ogbobula was kidnapped in Ahoada and later died in the hands of his abductors in Manikin Bush, Degema LGA.
The body of the deceased, Chief Abbot Ogbobula, was initially buried in a shallow grave within the mentioned bush. However, during a thorough investigation conducted by the police, his remains were later exhumed. As a result of this investigation, four individuals were charged and brought to court.
They faced a four-count charge, which included conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
The court proceedings resulted in convictions and sentences for the defendants. For count one, the conspiracy to kidnap, the first, second, and fourth defendants were found guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Regarding count two, the kidnapping of Chief Abbot Ogbobula, the same defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. In relation to count three, the conspiracy to murder Chief Abbot Ogbobula, the first, second, and fourth defendants were found guilty and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Finally, for count four, the murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula, the first, second, and fourth defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection.
