The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced three (3) persons to death by hanging and two (2) others to life imprisonment without option of fine for murder, kidnapping and possession of illegal fire arms.
The court however discharged and acquitted four others. The three persons convicted and sentenced to death are Kingsley Worlu Chuku, Uchendu Macpherson Elindam and Obinna Chuku.
The duo of Godknows Nworem and Promise Jim were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Those discharged and acquitted are Henry Elebiga, Destiny Chidiebere Wosu, Stanley Wosu and Elizabeth Chuku.
The nine persons were charged by the Department of State Security Service on September 20, 2017 on six count charge for kidnapping one Dr. Alexander Akani, a consultant with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) on June 28, 2017.
They were also convicted and sentenced for the murder of Deyspring Braide, former head of Local Government Administration of Asari-Toru LGA sometime in July, 2015.
In the judgement which lasted for three years, the presiding judge, Justice J. K. Omotosho prayed to God to have mercy on their souls.
Counsel to four of the suspects, Bargo Tariah said two of his clients were discharged while two others were convicted promising to liaise with the family for any possible appeal.
Similarly, a State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced to death by hanging three(3) persons who were charged on three count of conspiracy and murder of former leader of Niger Delta Ex militant, Soboma George and a groundnut seller identified as Joy Ejims.
In its judgement the court ruled that Dougbara Ogbe, Emmanuel Gladstone, Bere Mathew should be hanged to death for conspiring and killing Soboma George and John Ejims.
It would be recalled that the former Niger Delta Militant leader, Soboma George was killed alongside the groundnut seller identified as Joy John Ejims within a football pitch at Nembe Street in Borokiri area of Port Harcourt on the 24 August, 2010.
The trial Judge, Justice George Omereji in a judgement which lasted for three hours ruled that the prosecution was able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubts with the evidence of an eyewitness identified as Emmanuel Eniete who was also shot on his hand on the fateful day.
The court also ruled that amongst other confessional statement by the defendants that they killed George because he wanted to kill them first after they refused to kill the former Governor of Rivers State Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the then deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen outside the court room, the prosecution counsel, Ipalibo Karibo-Botoye, former NUJ state chairman, said he is satisfied with the judgment, which trial lasted for ten years and expressed readiness to defend the matter at the appeal court if dragged there.
On his part, the president, Niger Delta youth for Transparency Democracy, Johnson Solomon said in his reaction that his group is pleased with the judgement, expressing confidence that indeed the courts are the last hope of the common man.
