A Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a 20-year jail term to two of the four defendants accused of kidnapping Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Justice Binta Nyako, in her judgment, found the 1st and 2nd defendants, Kelvin Ezeigbe and Frank Azuekor, guilty of the charges leveled against them.
The judge’s decision was based on the prosecution’s ability to prove the counts against Ezeigbe and Azuekor beyond reasonable doubt. Furthermore, Justice Nyako ruled that the 20-year sentence would commence from the day of their arrest.
However, the 3rd and 4th defendants, Michael Omonigho and Momoh Haruna, were discharged and acquitted of the terrorism charges. The judge stated that although some of the counts against Ezeigbe and Azuekor carried severe punishments, including death sentences and life imprisonment, she noted their remorse and the fact that they had spent about 10 years in custody since their arrest.
During the proceedings, Michael Omonigho, who was referred to as the chief priest, was present in court. When the judge warned him about worshiping in his shrine in an open court, Omonigho responded by stating, “I have repented, my lord.”
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However, Momoh Haruna, the 4th defendant, was not present as he was reported to be at large after the attack on Kuje Correctional Centre by terrorists in July 2022.
Justice Nyako directed that Haruna, despite being discharged of the counts against him, should be brought to court to face charges related to his escape from lawful custody.
The trial, which has spanned several years, involved the defendants – Kelvin Ezeigbe, Frank Azuekor, Michael Omonigho, and Momoh Haruna. They were originally arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court on June 9, 2014, on a 13-count charge that included conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism.
The charges were related to acts of terrorism, as per Sections 1, 8, and 10 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011. The defendants were accused of kidnapping Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, as well as other high-profile individuals, and were alleged to have engaged in acts of terrorism.
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