Two Men Sentenced to Death for Kidnapping in Anambra

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

On Wednesday, Justice Vincent Agbata of the Nnewi Judicial Division delivered the judgement. He sentenced them to death by hanging.

Chidozie Obinna, the first defendant, was convicted and sentenced while he was not in court. He had reportedly fled while on bail during the trial.

The court heard that both men, along with their 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 said the attackers beat the victim, threw him from the first floor, and kidnapped him to an unknown place. He was held for four days before being released after his family paid a ransom of N7.5 million.

The court was told that police in Anambra, with help from the State Security Service, tracked down and arrested the defendants. Lead prosecuting lawyer, Mary Ukaekwe-Onyeaharam, asked the court to continue Mr Obinna’s trial in absentia due to his flight.

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 witnesses testified, including Mr Ezeifeka himself, the secretary of Ekwulumili Town Union, his son who delivered the ransom, and the police officer who investigated the case.

In his defense, Mr Onyido denied being part of the crime and said he was also a kidnapping victim. But Justice Agbata noted that evidence showed Mr Onyido received part of the ransom and did not explain it well.

The judge decided that the prosecution proved its case clearly. The evidence presented was not effectively challenged by the defense.

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