Court jails kidnappers of Bayelsa’s ex-commissioner 40 years

The Ogbia Division of the Bayelsa High Court on Thursday sentenced four men to 40 years imprisonment each for the kidnap of the former commissioner for trade and investment, Federal Otokito.
The convicts are Kingsley Obhesi, 24, Joshua Abi, 32, Gift Damene, 38, and Powell Inegite, 36.
Justice S.W. Amaduobogha convicted them on counts of conspiracy, kidnap and unlawful possession of firearms.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr Amaduobogha consequently sentenced each of them to 40 years imprisonment.
The convicts were arrested by operatives of the Operation Puff Adder unit of the police command in Bayelsa led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo.
The prosecuting counsel, Stella Jerry-Friday, told the court that the convicts on January 20, 2022, at Otuokpoti in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa kidnapped Otokito against his will.
“The captive was taken to Igbomotoru bush in the southern Ijaw area of the state with the intent to demand ransom or any other unlawful consideration and thereby committed an offence,” Mr Jerry-Friday said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Politics
PDP says Ighodalo remains party’s governorship candidate in Edo despite court ruling
Mr Ologunagba said that the party’s primary election that produced Mr Ighodalo followed due process.

States
Gov. Adeleke appoints new Amotekun commander
Mr Omoyele takes over from retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, the pioneer commander of the security outfit.

States
Lagos govt. apologies to residents affected by flood
Mr Wahab advised residents in the upland areas like Agege, Alimosho, Ikeja to be calm.

Education
UBEC launches digital resource centre to boost learning
Mr Galadanci added that Nigerian schools were lacking behind in the area of teachers welfare.

Rights
Autopsy showed Erasmus died of asphyxiation; his mother said we killed him: Police
Mr Emhenya’s death in detention comes as another episode of persons dying in a police cell.

NationWide
Aviation minister pledges to prioritise workers’ well-being
“A healthy and satisfied workforce is a productive workforce,” the minister said.