Two Men Get Death Sentence for Kidnapping in Anambra

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

On Wednesday, Justice Vincent Agbata of the Nnewi Judicial Division found the two guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Chidozie Obinna, the first defendant, was sentenced in absentia. He ran away while on bail during the trial.

The court heard 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 December 12, 2020.

The prosecution said the attackers beat the victim, threw him from the first floor of his house, and kidnapped him to an unknown place.

Mr Ezeifeka was held for four days before he was released after his family paid a ransom of N7.5 million.

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

Lead prosecutor Mary Ukaekwe-Onyeaharam asked the court to continue the trial of Mr Obinna in absentia because he vanished while on bail.

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

Four witnesses testified during the trial. They included the victim, the secretary of Ekwulumili Town Union, the victim’s son who delivered the ransom, and the investigating officer.

In his defence, Ifeanyi Onyido denied any involvement in the crime and claimed he was also a kidnapping victim.

But Justice Agbata said the evidence showed Mr Onyido received part of the ransom and could not explain the money properly.

The judge stated the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He noted that the defence did not effectively challenge or contradict the evidence presented.

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