An Akwa Ibom State High Court Uyo, presided by Justice Joy Unwana (extended jurisdiction) has handed down death sentence to seven people, including three policemen for kidnapping.
The other 4 convicts include a woman hired by the gang for N50, 000 to cook for the victim – Deaconess Ime Anietie Ekanem, while they negotiated for her ransom.
The state instituted Suit No HU/13c/2012 against 8 members of the gang in 2012.
They are: CPL Emmanuel Charlie, Ekaette Edet Moses, Fidelis Emmanson Jeremiah, Cpl Bassey Sunday (377812), PC Mfon Bassey (478463), Ndu Okon Johnny, Unyime Edem Etukakpan, and Itohowo Godwin Akpakwa.
They were convicted on all 3 count charges of Conspiracy to commit felony, Kidnapping, and Counseling, aiding and Sponsoring kidnapping.
According to the confessional statement of the 8th accused, Mrs Itohowo Akpakwa, which was admitted as exhibit, she confessed to visiting her friend in a Bar at Idakeyop Aka where she gave the 7th accused – Unyime Edem Etukakpan money to buy medicine for his ill health.
Though Akpakwa denied knowledge of the plot to kidnap her friend and neighbor, no fewer than 3 other members of the gang told court that they did not know her name at the time she visited the final meeting at Aka.
They insisted that she was the one who identified her friend and gave direction to her house in Obio Etoi village, Uyo.
Scannews
