Three Given Death Sentence For Killing Chief After Ransom Payment

A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced three men on counts of kidnapping and murder.

Although four defendants were tried in court for the kidnapping of late Chief Abbot Ogbobula in June 2017, only three were convicted, while the fourth was released and acquitted.

The three men, Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod, were found guilty of four counts: conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, plot to kill, and murder of late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.

Justice Monina Danagogo presided over the case, which was heard on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

Speaking to Channels Television, 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 arrested the 1st defendant who he handed over to the police but somehow, he was arrested.”

Read Also: Bandits Kill Zamfara Lecturer After Collecting N2m Ransom

Speaking further the senior lawyer said, “This has convinced me that the courts are indeed the last hope of the common man and are indeed capable of dispensing justice.”

In June 2017, Chief Ogbobula was kidnapped from his house in Ihuba village, Ahoada, and transported to Manikin Bush in Degema LGA, where he was held captive and eventually perished at the hands of his kidnappers.

The group wanted a ransom of N20 million from the family. The relatives originally sent N200,000 to the kidnappers. The family eventually sent another N500,000 to the gang.

In a tragic twist of destiny, the gang abducted and killed a young member of the extended family, Udoma Njoku (pictured), who was sent to deliver the money.

The group murdered the octogenarian and buried his body in a shallow burial in the bush, which was later exhumed during a police investigation.

Four people were charged in court with four counts of conspiracy to abduct, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder of the Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula.

The first, second, and fourth defendants were convicted of count one (conspiracy to kidnap) and sentenced to seven years in jail without the option of a fine.

In relation to count two (the kidnapping of Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula), the first, second, and fourth defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.

The first, second, and fourth defendants were found guilty of count three (conspiracy to murder Late Chief Abbot Ogbobula) and sentenced to 14 years in jail without the option of a fine.

In relation to count four (murder of Chief Abbot Ogbobula), the first, second, and fourth defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli