Three sentenced to death by hanging for kidnap and murder of former Rivers Ministry of Health director
A Excessive Court docket sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced three individuals to loss of life by hanging over the kidnap and homicide of former Director of Finance within the Rivers State Ministry of Well being, Charles Nwogu. The three individuals, Andy Clement, Goddfrey Hanson and Chima Nwokoma, had been going through 9 counts…
A Excessive Court docket sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced three individuals to loss of life by hanging over the kidnap and homicide of former Director of Finance within the Rivers State Ministry of Well being, Charles Nwogu.
The three individuals, Andy Clement, Goddfrey Hanson and Chima Nwokoma, had been going through 9 counts of conspiracy and homicide. They had been sentenced after 11 years of litigation.
Two different suspects, Obinna Okereofo, Ogechi Harmless had been discharged and acquitted from the fees.
The presiding Decide, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, in his judgement held that the trio kidnapped and murdered Charles Nwogu at his residence in Rumuokoro, Obio/Akoor Native Authorities Space of Rivers State in 2012.
Justice Enebeli mentioned the prosecution was in a position to judiciously show the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and homicide fees introduced towards the three convicts.
The trial decide, whereas sentencing them after they had been discovered responsible in counts 1, 2 of conspiracy and counts 3, 4, 6, and seven, mentioned his arms had been tight and should do what the regulation demanded consistent with Sections 401 and 402 of the State Administration Justice Regulation.
In accordance with him, the convicts contravened Part 1(1) of the state Anti-kidnapping Regulation in addition to Part 319 of the Prison Code, including that the assorted legal guidelines stipulated hanging by loss of life upon conviction.
The trial decide dominated that the prosecution failed to supply substantial evidences within the info filed towards the 2 discharged defendants on conspiracy and kidnapping fees.
He mentioned the prosecution relied on mere suspicion and never backed up with credible proof that would prosecute them.
Justice Enebeli additional struck out fees introduced towards the 4th defendants, late Rowland Azuka, who reportedly died on the Correctional Centre in the course of the trial of the matter.
C.N Nathaniel, lawyer to one of many convicts, Chima Nwokoma, instructed newsmen that he would attraction the judgement.
