A Rivers state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced three young men to fourteen years imprisonment without option of fine for the kidnap of eighty-three year old woman identified as Theresa Nwosu
Kelechi Nnaji Bright Anele, Onyebuchi Nweke and Confidence Ozuowu were arrested, arraigned on three counts of kidnapping, conspiracy and possession of illegal firearms, an incident which is said to have happened on the 22nd of September, 2015 at Obite village in Okehi community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Trial Judge,Justice Boma Diepiri in his judgment found Kelechi Nnaji Bright Anele and Onyebuchi Nweke who are first, second and third defendants in the matter guilty of kidnap and conspiracy but discharge and acquitted the fourth defendant, Confidence Ozuowu.
Our correspondent reports that Justice Diepiri rules that the prosecution was able to prove the case of kidnap and conspiracy against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt following the confessional statement of the convicts, evidence and testimonies of the prosecution witness including the victim.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Chioma Chukeu and Stanley Amadi -Igwe who are counsel to the defendants while commending the judge for the judgment said they might head to appeal court to seek redress of the judgment.
On his part, the prosecution counsel from Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chidi Ekeh complained of the sentence of fourteen years which he said ordinarily would have been life imprisonment.