In Edo State, Solomon Abuede, James Monday, and Kelvin Edward have received a death sentence by hanging for crimes related to armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.
The ruling was delivered at the High Court in Benin by Hon Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh. The trio was found guilty of kidnapping and killing Ephraim Akhere in Ihumudumun Quarters, Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, on June 13, 2014.
Furthermore, Oviasogie Sunday was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting an Infinity Jeep, with registration number EFR 218 FB, which belonged to the late Akhere and was stolen after his murder.
These offenses fall under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013 and the Armed Robbery and Firearms Act.
They were part of a group of six individuals brought before Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh in a case with six charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, and possession of stolen goods.
David Williams and Monday Ozomo were acquitted due to a lack of evidence linking them to the crimes of armed robbery and kidnapping.
In a 91-page verdict issued to journalists, Justice Irele-Ifijeh stated that the statements given by Solomon Abuede, James Monday, and Kelvin Edward, admitting their involvement in the armed robbery, were supported by the testimony of Sandra, a prosecution witness who was kidnapped alongside Akhere.
During the sentencing, the judge mentioned, “The kidnappers, armed with weapons, abducted their victims on a motorcycle, instructing Akhere, the driver, and Sandra to sit in the back seat with lowered heads, while Abuede took the wheel.
“They proceeded to the bank, two kidnappers remained in the car with the victims, while one went to the bank with Akhere’s ATM card to withdraw funds from his account.
“Subsequently, they headed to an unfinished building, where Abuede pushed Ephraim into a well after administering rat poison, whereas the girl had the choice of jumping into the well or consuming the rat poison.”
After Sandra pleaded with him, Solomon spared her life but proceeded to assault her.
James Monday reportedly provided the weapon used in the crime, and along with Monday Ozomo, transported the Infinity Jeep to Kano. There, Oviasogie paid N420,000 for the vehicle, which was below the agreed price of N500,000.