From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has convicted and sentenced three young men to 14 years imprisonment without option of fine each, for the kidnapping 83 years old woman identified as Theresa Nwosu.
The convicts were Kelechi Nnaji, Bright Anele and Onyebuchi Nweke, as well as the fourth accused person, Confidence Ozuowu, were arrested and arraigned on three counts of kidnapping, conspiracy and possession of illegal firearms.
The crime was committed on September 22, 2015, in Obite village, Okehi, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Trial judge, Justice Boma Diepiri, in his judgement yesterday, found Nnaji, Anele and Nweke, who were first, second and third defendants respectively in the matter, guilty of kidnap and conspiracy.
But, the court discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Confidence Ozuowu.
Justice Diepiri ruled that the prosecution was able to prove the case of kidnap and conspiracy against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt, following the confessional statements of the convicts, evidence and testimonies of the prosecution witness including the victim.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Chioma Chukwu and Stanley Amadi-Igwe, who were counsels for the defendants, though commended the judge for the verdict, said they might head to Court of Appeal to seek redress of the judgement.
On his part, the prosecution counsel from Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chidi Ekeh, complained of the sentence of 14 years which he said ordinarily would have been life imprisonment.