An Edo State High Court presided over by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh has sentenced Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward to death by hanging, for armed robbery, kidnapping and murder of Ephraim Akhere.
Justice Irele-Ifijeh said the offences were punishable under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013, and the Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Act.
The late Akhere was kidnapped at Ihumudumu Quarters, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of on June 13, 2014.
Justice Irele-Ifijeh also sentenced Oviasogie Sunday, alias Alhaji of Kano, to life imprisonment for receiving Akhere’s vehicle which was stolen after his murder.
The four persons were among the six people arraigned on six counts of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and receipt of stolen property, among others.
The two other suspects – David Williams and Monday Ozomo – were discharged for lack of evidence linking them to the crimes.
Justice Irele-Ifijeh, in her 91-page judgment, said the confessional statements of Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward that they participated in the robbery, was corroborated by the evidence of Sandra, a prosecution witness, who was in the same vehicle, and kidnapped with the late Akhere.
