4 Kidnappers Bag 85-year-jail Term In Delta

An Asaba high court sitting in Asaba yesterday sentenced four persons to 85 years imprisonment with hard labour for kidnapping a housewife in Warri, Delta state in 2011.

The accused persons, who included Daniel Barefo, Sunday Analue, SilvanusMudiaga Onome, and Ezegbune Daniel, were charged with four count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of fire arms.

Delivering judgment, the presiding Judge of High Court land, Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro, said from the statements of the accused persons, it is clear that they committed the crime.

Justice Umukoro, while saying that the onus lies on the prosecution to prove

the case against the accused persons, he held that from evidence before the court, the prosecution has proved the case against the accused persons and so it holds.

He pointed out that the accused persons in their statements narrated how each of them participated in the kidnapping adding that the victim also identified the first accused person..

While dismissing the charge of armed robbery against the accused persons, he said that the disposition of the victim’s handset and other belongings was tantamount to stealing.

The court also found the first accused person guilty of illegal possession of fire arms.

According to the court, the statements of the accused persons is a clear indication of conspiracy, planning and execution of the kidnapping and other charges and therefore holds the arguments and submissions of the prosecution.

4 Kidnappers Bag 85-year-jail Term In Delta