x

5 to die by hanging for kidnap and murder of Shell staff in Rivers

Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, August 8, sentenced five persons to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering a Shell staff, named Anthony Okoro.

The five defendants out of seven persons in suit number PHC/324/2017, are Oluchi Charles (1st defendant), Miracle Anumuna (2nd defendant), Ifeanyi Simon (3rd defendant), Koko Basset (4th defendant) and Uchenna Stanley Amaechi (7th defendant).

They were convicted of the 10 charges preferred against them by the Inspector General of Police bordering on conspiracy, stealing, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.

Chukwudi Etete (5th defendant) and Anthony Ugwu (6th defendant), the remaining two persons mentioned in the suit, were discharged and acquitted by the court.

The suspects had on  May 29, 2016, attacked the home of one Anthony Okoro, a staff of Shell Petroleum Development Company, in Woji area of Port Harcourt. The suspects reportedly shot the victim and carried his body away with his Range Rover SUV. The deceased’s Kia Optima car, television sets, infinix phone and other valuables were also taken away by the suspects.

The trial judge, Justice George Omereji, in his verdict yesterday, held that the prosecution proved its case that the first to fourth and seventh defendants were as guilty as charged. Omereji, in discharging and acquitting the fifth and sixth defendants, stated that the prosecution could not prove that they had knowledge of the crime, rather they unknowingly bought phones belonging to the victim.

The judge also held that the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy against the convicts.

“It was proven that the convicts had met at Genesis area of Woji in Port Harcourt and planned the kidnap of Okoro and the death of the victim was caused by the convicts,” the judge said.

The trial judge also noted that the prosecution also proved that the death of the victim was caused by the suspects, regretting that Anthony Okoro was shot on his arm and taken away with his cars and other valuables by the suspects.

Omereji, who based his ruling on Section 410 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2011, sentenced the five convicted persons to death by hanging, adding that they should be held on the rope till they are confirmed dead.

The prosecution counsel, I. Ubulom, described it as justice done. He said the verdict would serve as deterrent to others involved in criminal activities.

Hot this week

#FreeNnamdiKanu: Protest Traps Abuja Residents, Close Businesses, and Offices

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuAs the # FreeNnamdiKanu protesters tropped...

FG Launches Made-in- Nigeria Mobile App to Boost Community Healthcare Services

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe Federal Government has launched a...

China Commends Nigeria for Joint ONSA/DSS/Army Rescue of Four Kidnapped Chinese Citizens

▪︎ Secret Police stabilises rescued kidnapees at own medical...

FCT Fights Non- Compliance of Vaccination of Children

... Targets 2. 6 M children in FCT...

Chinese Ambassador’s Cup: 2025 Wushu Championship Set to Hold in Abuja

The Chinese Ambassador’s Cup-Wushu Championship, also known as the...

FG Launches Made-in- Nigeria Mobile App to Boost Community Healthcare Services

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe Federal Government has launched a...

Hazras Charity Foundation Concludes Educational Kits Distribution in Kano, Expands to Jigawa State

By Jabiru HassanThe Hazras Charity Foundation, a delivery partner...

Kaduna Women Journalists Urge Government Action on Poor Power Supply, Commend State’s Climate Efforts

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Nigeria Association of Women Journalists...

Gov. Ododo Hails Appointment of Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu as New Chief of Army Staff

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaKogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman...

NDDC Commissions Naval Facility in Bayelsa to Boost Security in Niger Delta

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaThe Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)...

KOSIEC Releases Timetable for 2026 Kogi Local Government Elections

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Independent...

Terrorist Invade Southern Kaduna Community, Abduct 10 Residents in Kauru LGA

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaTerrorists have again attacked Southern Kaduna,...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img