Two kidnappers, Kelvin Ezeiegbe and Frank Azuekor, have been found guilty and sentenced to 20 years behind bars by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court’s ruling, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, established the involvement of the two individuals in the kidnapping of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof. Mike Ozekhome and his driver on August 23, 2013.
The abduction, which took place on the Benin-Auchi highway in Edo State, resulted in the tragic loss of six security personnel who were assigned to protect the senior lawyer.
The court’s verdict found Ezeiegbe and Azuejor guilty of kidnapping, terrorism, and murder; however, it exonerated their alleged accomplices, Michael Omonigho and Haruna Momoh, who held the positions of the 3rd and 4th defendants in the case handled by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Omonigho was granted his freedom, but the court ordered security agencies to launch a search and capture operation for Momoh, who escaped custody during the recent prison break at Kuje prison in Abuja.
According to Justice Nyako, the prosecution’s case faltered in demonstrating the charges of conspiracy and kidnapping against Omonigho and Momoh.
She did, however, issue an order for the apprehension and prosecution of Momoh for his escape from lawful custody.
It is worth remembering that the defendants were brought before the court in June 2013, where they faced a 13-count criminal charge.
The charges brought against them were detailed, including conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, the kidnapping of individuals, incitement to commit acts of terrorism, and recruitment.
According to reports, the defendants were charged with an offense that could result in legal consequences under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended.
Mrs. Chioma Onuegbu, who led the prosecution, wrapped up the case after bringing forward a total of seven witnesses and submitting 16 exhibits as evidence before the court.
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Prof. Ozekhome, SAN, was one of the witnesses who took the stand, sharing the terrifying account of his forced abduction by Ezeiegbe, Azuekor, and other associates of their criminal group.
The lawyer went on to recount his three-week ordeal in captivity and emphasized that his liberation from the kidnappers’ clutches was contingent on the payment of N40 million in ransom.
On Friday, Justice Nyako, presiding over the trial, stated that she was convinced the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Ezeiegbe and Azuejor.
The court described Prof. Ozekhome’s testimony in the matter as very ‘central to the prosecution’s evidence.’
‘Mike Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and he swore with the Holy Bible while giving his testimony,’ Justice Nyako noted, adding that he was a witness of truth whose testimony could not be ignored.
In the course of convicting Ezeiegbe and Azuekor, the judge also considered a letter penned by the former Attorney-General of Delta State to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. This letter revealed that Azuekor had previously faced allegations of wrongdoing in the state prior to his involvement in the Ozekhome abduction case.
Justice Nyako made it clear that the convicts’ refusal to acknowledge their confessions held no bearing on the case, as they did not present any alibi to refute their culpability in the crimes.
‘The first defendant (Mr Ezeiegbe) aided and abetted the second defendant (Mr Azuekor),’ she held, adding that there was evidence that Ezeiegbe and his gang members had earlier killed two prison officials that were escorting Azuekor to a court in Delta State for another criminal trial.
According to evidence before the court, while Mr Azuekor was being taken for trial in Delta, Ezeiegbe and his armed gang members ambushed a prison vehicle, killing two personnel in the process before setting Mr Azuekor free.
‘I find him (Mr Azuekor) guilty of escaping from lawful custody.’
‘I find that the prosecution has proven its case. This is very believable evidence. We need to send right messages to society that it is not acceptable to do bad behaviour.’
‘The convicts are hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each. Their prison term will run from the date of their arrest,’ the judge held.