An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in a series of kidnappings in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, and nearby communities in Rivers State.
The court found them guilty of kidnapping an Anambra State businessman, Mr. Chijioke Anyanwuor, owner of Jon KAMSY Supermarket in Ikot Abasi, after collecting a ₦3 million ransom from his family.
The convicts are Marvelous Ndah (38) from Ikot Iyire, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area; Anthony Akpan (37) from Ekput, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area; Aniema Eshiet (34) from Oborenyin, Ikot Abasi; and Onyebule Gift Ogbonna (41) from Omuma Local Government Area in Rivers State.
They were tried with two other defendants, Uche Success Nwokocha and Chidi Christian Nwokoma. The court cleared and released the two men because there was no strong evidence linking them to the kidnapping.
The four convicts were charged with conspiracy and kidnapping under Akwa Ibom State laws.
In a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Archibong Archibong said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the four men guilty.
The judge said the judgment should serve as a warning to others who may want to commit similar crimes.
The court heard that on January 25, 2016, the gang kidnapped Mr. Anyanwuor in front of his home in Ikot Abasi. Although the family paid the ₦3 million ransom, the kidnappers killed him. His body was buried in a shallow grave at Ikot Iyire, Edemaya.
About four months later, his remains were found and taken to his hometown, Agulu in Anambra State, for burial. He was survived by his wife and four children.
The court also heard that on April 16, 2016, the same gang kidnapped Mrs. Jewel Emem Thomas, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University, from her home along Ikpetim Road, Ikot Abasi, around 2 a.m.
Her husband begged the kidnappers to take him instead, but they refused. They later demanded a ₦2 million ransom, which he delivered in Port Harcourt.
After collecting the money on April 19, 2016, the kidnappers released Mrs. Thomas in Ikot Abasi and gave her ₦80 for transport home.
Investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the arrest of Marvelous Ndah on April 26, 2016, in Uyo. He confessed to taking part in the kidnappings and helped security agents arrest the other gang members.
