A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced three men to death by hanging for kidnapping and killing of Rivers chief after ransom payment on charges of kidnapping and murder.
Although four suspects were arraigned in court for the kidnap of late Chief Abbot Ogbobula in June 2017, only three were convicted while the fourth suspect was discharged and acquitted.
The three men identified as Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod, were convicted on four charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
Justice Monina Danagogo presided over the case which was held on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen, counsel to Goodnews Nwoka (fourth suspect), Augustine Ojekudo, said of his client, “he is very very happy, he was only trying to help and that got him into trouble. He was the CSO of the LGA and even arrest
In June 2017, Chief Abbot Ogbobula, deceased was kidnapped at Ahoada and taken by his abductors to Manikin Bush in Degema area where he was held hostage and died eventually in the hands of his abductors. He was buried in a shallow grave in the said Bush but his body was later exhumed in the course of Police investigation of the case. 4 persons were charged to court in a 4-count charge of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.
Today, the 18th day of January 2024,the High Court ,Port Harcourt presided over by His lordship, Hon. Justice M. W. Danagogo sitting as Court 12 delivered Judgment as follows- Count 1 on conspiracy to kidnap: The 3rd Defendant (Goodnews Nwoka AKA Maximum) who was represented by Barr. Augustine ‘Efe Ojekudo leading Adaeze Lawrence and M. A. Onyia was discharged and acquitted in respect of all the counts 1-4 of the offences of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula. In respect of Count 1 (conspiracy to kidnap) the 1st, 2nd and 4th Defendants were convicted and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with no option of fine.
In respect of Count 2 ((kidnapping of Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula) the 1st, 2nd and 4th Defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. In respect of Count 3 ( conspiracy to murder Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula) the 1st, 2nd and 4th Defendants were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with no option of fine. In respect of Count 4 ( murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula) the 1st,2nd and 4th Defendants were convicted sentenced to death by hanging or by lethal injection. The Information stating the counts of the charge is sent right away too