Three individuals have been sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court in Benin City. They were found guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping, and the murder of Ephraim Akhere.
The convicted individuals, Solomon Abuede, James Monday, and Kelvin Edward, were involved in the armed robbery, kidnapping, and killing of Ephraim Akhere in Ihumudumun quarters in Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Additionally, Oviasogie Sunday, also known as Alhaji of Kano, was sentenced to life imprisonment for receiving a stolen Infinity Jeep registered under EFR 218 FB, which belonged to Ephraim Akhere.
The court case, with suit number: HEK/25c/24, involved six defendants facing charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, and possession of stolen goods. David Williams and Monday Ozomo were discharged due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crimes.
Justice Ifijeh described how the kidnappers used a motorcycle and weapons to abduct their victims, forcing Ephraim, the driver, and Sandra to comply while they proceeded with the crime.
After driving to the bank and withdrawing money using Ephraim’s ATM card, the convicts took their victims to an unfinished building. There, Solomon Abuede disposed of Ephraim by throwing him into a well after making him ingest rat poison. The girl was given the ultimatum of jumping into the well or ingesting the poison.
Despite giving the girl an alternative, Solomon later decided to assault her. James Monday supplied the gun for the operation, and Monday Ozomo facilitated the transfer of the stolen vehicles, including the Infinity Jeep, to Kano, where Oviasogie purchased it for N420,000.
In her 91-page verdict, Justice Irele-Ifijeh highlighted the confessions of Solomon Abuede, James Monday, and Kelvin Edward, which align with the testimonies of Sandra, a witness who was present during the crime.
The judge established that the crimes were committed on June 13, 2024, and the convictions were made in accordance with the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013 and the Armed Robbery and Firearms Act.