Four members of a notorious nine-man kidnapping syndicate that terrorised residents of Ikot Abasi and neighbouring communities in Rivers State have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Akwa Ibom State High Court.
The convicts—Marvelous Ndah, 38, of Ikot Iyire, Edemaya; Anthony Anthony Akpan, 37, of Ekput, Ibiono Ibom; Aniema Eshiet, 34, of Oborenyin, Ikot Abasi; and Onyebule Gift Ogbonna, 41, of Omuma, Rivers State—were found guilty of kidnapping and conspiracy.
Justice Archibong Archibong, who presided over the case, delivered the verdict after the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the men were responsible for the abduction and subsequent death of Mr. Chijioke Anyanwu, proprietor of Jon KAMSY Supermarket in Ikot Abasi.
Anyanwu was kidnapped on January 25, 2016, in front of his residence. The syndicate collected a ransom of N3 million from his family. Tragically, the victim died in captivity and was initially buried in a shallow grave at Ikot Iyire, Edemaya, before his remains were exhumed and reburied in his hometown of Agulu, Anambra State.
Justice Archibong warned that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to other criminals, stating, “I hope this judgment will act as a deterrent to those who, like the convicts, aspire to engage in such heinous acts.”
The court also acquitted two other defendants, Uche Success Nwokocha and Chidi Christian Nwokoma, citing insufficient evidence to link them to the crime.
The prosecution further revealed that the syndicate was behind multiple kidnappings, including the abduction of Mrs. Jewel Emem Thomas, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University.
She was kidnapped from her residence on April 16, 2016, at about 2 a.m., and held for a N2 million ransom. She was later released after the family paid the sum.
Investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the arrest of Marvelous Ndah, who confessed to his involvement in several kidnappings in 2016, including the abduction of a UBA staff, a petroleum marketer, and a former councillor in Ikot Abasi. His statements ultimately led to the arrest of Akpan and Eshiet.
The four-count charges against the convicts were based on conspiracy (Section 552 of the Criminal Code) and kidnapping (Section 1(2) of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law, 2009).
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
