In a decisive verdict, the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja has handed down a 20-year jail term to two of the four defendants accused of kidnapping Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN.
Justice Binta Nyako delivered the judgment on Friday, asserting that the prosecution successfully established the charges against Kelvin Ezeigbe and Frank Azuekor, the 1st and 2nd defendants, beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentence, according to the judge, will commence from the day of their arrest.
However, Justice Nyako discharged and acquitted Michael Omonigho and Momoh Haruna, the 3rd and 4th defendants, of the charges leveled against them in the terrorism case. Despite some counts carrying severe penalties, including death sentence and life imprisonment, the judge noted that Ezeigbe and Azuekor showed remorse for their criminal acts. She also considered that the accused had spent approximately 10 years in custody since their arrest.
While Omonigho, identified as the chief priest, was present in court, Haruna was not. The judge ordered that Haruna, who was at large, be brought to court to answer for his escape from lawful custody, even though he was discharged of the charges against him.
Justice Nyako commended the defense lawyer, Bala Dakum, and the prosecution counsel, Chioma Onuegbu, for their diligent contributions throughout the trial.
The four defendants—Kelvin Ezeigbe, Frank Azuekor, Michael Omonigho, and Momoh Haruna—were initially arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court on June 9, 2014. The charges included conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism. While three defendants were present in court, Haruna went missing after an attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre by terrorists on July 5, 2022.
