CurrentReport Blog In a landmark ruling, Justice Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, has delivered justice in a case of heinous crimes, sentencing three individuals to death by hanging for armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder. The convicted individuals, Solomon Abuede, James Monday, and Kelvin Edward, were found guilty of the brutal robbery, abduction, and tragic killing of Ephraim Akhere in Ihumudumun quarters in Ekpoma.
The court proceedings, documented under suit number HEK/25c/24, revealed a chilling narrative of the events leading to the tragic demise of Ephraim Akhere. The assailants, armed with dangerous weapons, abducted their victims, forcing Ephraim and another individual to comply with their demands under threat of violence. Solomon Abuede, one of the convicts, callously administered rat poison to Ephraim before throwing him into a well, sealing his fate. Justice Ifijeh highlighted the harrowing ordeal of Sandra, a prosecution witness and kidnapping victim, who endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of the perpetrators.
Furthermore, the judgment revealed the complicity of Oviasogie Sunday, alias Alhaji of Kano, who received stolen property, including Ephraim’s Infinity Jeep. His involvement in the crime led to a life imprisonment sentence.
The court’s meticulous examination of evidence, including confessional statements and witness testimonies, resulted in the conviction of the three perpetrators. Justice Ifijeh emphasized that the severity of their crimes warranted the maximum penalty under the law, as dictated by the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013 and the Armed Robbery and Firearms Act.
Despite the gravity of the case, the court also upheld the principle of justice by discharging two individuals, David Williams and Monday Ozomo, due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crimes.
