Nnewi Court Sends Two Men to Death for Kidnapping

A high court in Nnewi, Anambra State, has sentenced two men, Chidozie Obinna and Ifeanyi Onyido, to death for their roles in kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, and causing serious harm to a businessman, Lawrence Ezeifeka.

Justice Vincent Agbata of the Nnewi Judicial Division delivered the judgement on Wednesday. He found the two guilty of the charges and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Obinna, the first defendant, was convicted in absentia. He reportedly fled while on bail during the trial.

The court learned that the two men, along with other gang members who are still missing, attacked Mr Ezeifeka at his home in Ekwulumili, Nnewi South Local Government Area, on 12 December 2020.

The prosecution stated that the assailants assaulted Mr Ezeifeka, threw him from the first floor of his house, and kidnapped him.

The victim was kept for four days before being released after his family paid a ransom of N7.5 million.

The court also heard that police in Anambra, working with the State Security Service, tracked down and arrested the two defendants.

Mary Ukaekwe-Onyeaharam, the lead prosecuting counsel, asked the court to continue Obinna’s trial in absentia due to his disappearance while on bail.

She based her request on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022, and the Anambra State Practice Direction for Criminal Matters, 2023.

During the trial, four prosecution witnesses testified. These included the victim, the secretary of Ekwulumili Town Union, the victim's son who delivered the ransom, and the investigating police officer.

In his defence, Onyido denied being involved in the crime. He claimed he was also a victim of kidnapping.

But Justice Agbata stated that evidence showed Onyido received part of the ransom and could not explain where the money came from.

The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution was not effectively challenged or contradicted by the defence.

As a result, the court convicted and sentenced both men for their roles in the crimes.