Three condemned to death in Bayelsa for kidnapping

A state High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has sentenced three accused persons to death either by firing squad or hanging for their complicity in the kidnapping of Mr Duncan Eke.

The victim was abducted at Igbedi community, Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of the state. Eke, retired manager of Exxon Mobil was kidnapped on January 24, 2016 when gunmen stormed the Anglican Church at Igebdi community.

The kidnappers also shot the presiding priest Revd Ezekiel Obata before whisking away their target. A ransom of about N20 million was paid for the release of Eke, but the police arrested three suspects, Austine Nimite, Dengiyefa Doupere and Korinnake Mark for aiding the crime, while while another suspect, Dakolo Jackson fled.

Justice Ineikade Eradiri of the Kaiama judicial division who was first assigned the case by the Chief Judge refused to conduct the proceedings on the grounds of his relationship with Eke, but the matter was transfered to Justice Nayai Aganaba.

The prosecution team produced four witnesses in court including the victim, Eke who told the Judge how he was blindfolded and kept in the kidnappers den for 21 days.He said he was released after he paid advanced ransom of N10m and full payment of N20m when he rejoined his family.

Justice Aganaba in his judgement found the accused guilty for aiding and abetting the kidnap of Eke and sentenced them to death either by firing squad or death by hanging.