KINGSLEY EBERE
A 34-year old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu, has been sentenced to death by hanging for serial armed robbery and kidnapping in Imo State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri, which found him guilty of the alleged offences.
The convict, Johnbosco, a native of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of the State, was arrested in 2024 along Okigwe Road, Owerri, with a stolen vehicle by the Police.
While being interrogated, he confessed to have been in the business of armed robbery and hostage taking, operating within Imo and Abia States with his gang.
He was subsequently charged before the Court for the offences under the Criminal Law of the State.
The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice C.N. Akowundu, said the defendant was guilty of all the eight count charges against him as the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges leveled against the accused person.
He recalled that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang who are currently at large, trailed one Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his house at Aba while driving along with his wife and whisked the couple away, robbing them of their car and the sum of US2800 dollars.
While the wife was freed along the road, the husband was blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was held hostage for close to six days.
Meanwhile, the defendant and his gang members that same day, about same time, before the abduction of Mr. Rex had already abducted one Emmanuel Okezie, who was also driving along the same route with Mr. Rex.
The victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of 3.7million Naira and 15 million Naira, respectively.
Justice Akobundu, in the judgement, further remarked that Ashiegbu drives in fleet of cars and routinely changes ownership of all vehicles he stole to his name, including the ones he gifted his elder brother and sister during her birthday celebration.
Meanwhile, the defense counsel pleaded for leniency that the accused had not been convicted of any offense in the past and is the breadwinner of his family married with children who depend on him.
Waving out the request from the defendant’s counsel, the Judge said that the defendant himself did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, urged the court to give its pronouncement in line with the dictates of the law.
He noted that the defendant had not shown any atom of repentance even as he had been found guilty of all the charges before the Court.
The Judge, in his final judgement, said the accused was guilty of all charges levelled against him and therefore, sentenced him to death by hanging accordingly.