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A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has handed down convictions and sentences to three individuals for kidnapping and murdering late Chief Abbot Ogbobula. The trial, held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, resulted in the conviction of Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod on charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to murder, and murder.
While four suspects were initially arraigned in connection with the June 2017 abduction of Chief Ogbobula, only three were convicted, and the fourth suspect was discharged and acquitted.
Justice Monina Danagogo presided over the case, and the sentencing included seven years imprisonment with no option of fine for conspiracy to kidnap, 14 years imprisonment with no option of fine for conspiracy to murder, and death by hanging or lethal injection for both kidnapping and murder charges.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the gang demanded a N20 million ransom from the family. Despite the family initially sending N200,000, the gang later abducted and beheaded a young family member, Udoma Njoku, who was delivering an additional N500,000 to the kidnappers. The late Chief Ogbobula was ultimately found murdered, and his body was buried in a shallow grave.
The court’s decision marks a significant step towards justice, with the legal counsel expressing satisfaction that the courts serve as the last hope for the common man.
