The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday sentenced two abductors of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome,, who also murdered six security operatives to 20 years imprisonment
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Ozekhome was kidnapped alongside his driver on 23 August 2013 at the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi highway in Edo State, while four police officers who responded to Ozekhome’s abduction were ambushed and killed by the convicts.
The convicts which include Kelvin Ezeiegbe and Frank Azuekor were said to have received N40 million ransom before releasing the victim in 2013, while after their arrest and arraignment they were found guilty of kidnapping, terrorism and murder.
Penpushing further reports that the judge, Justice Binta Nyako, in her ruling relied on a letter from the Delata State Attorney-General to the Attorney-General of the Federation which said Azuekor was indicted for a crime in the state prior to his arrest for kidnapping Ozekhome.
The judge noted that the convicts denial of their confessional statements was immaterial as they did not provide an alibi for the crimes, stating the first defendant aided and abetted the second defendant adding that his gang members killed two prison officials who were escorting Azuekor to court in Delta State for another criminal trial.
The first defendant (Mr Ezeiegbe) aided and abetted the second defendant (Mr Azuekor),” the judge said of Mr Ezeiegbe and his gang members’ killing of two prison officials who were escorting Mr Azuekor to court in Delta State for another criminal trial.
Penpushing also reports that the court in the judgment pronounced 20 years jail term for each of the convicts for the offences known to be punishable under Section 17 of Terrorism Prevention Act amongst other counts.
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