An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping in Imo and Abia states.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice C.N. Akowundu convicted Ashiegbu on an eight-count charge, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The convict, who hails from Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, was reportedly arrested in 2024 along Okigwe Road in Owerri while driving a stolen vehicle.
During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to participating in kidnapping and robbery operations with gang members who are still at large.
The court heard that Ashiegbu and his gang abducted Rex Edwin Achiefula and his wife in Aba, Abia State, after trailing them to their residence. The
victims were reportedly robbed of their vehicle and $2,800. While the woman was later released, her husband was blindfolded and held captive for about six days before regaining freedom after ransom payments were made.
Another victim, Emmanuel Okezie, was also said to have been kidnapped on the same day and later released after ransom payments of N3.7 million and N15 million were allegedly paid for both victims.
Justice Akowundu reportedly noted that the convict specialised in stealing vehicles and illegally transferring ownership documents into his name.
The judge also said the defendant showed no remorse throughout the trial despite appeals for leniency by his lawyer, who argued that he was a family man with no previous conviction.
