IMO COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

A State High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of multiple counts of armed robbery and kidnapping.

Ashiegbu, an indigene of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area, was arrested in 2024 along the Okigwe Road in Owerri while reportedly driving a stolen vehicle. Following interrogation, he allegedly confessed to being involved in armed robbery and kidnapping activities across Imo and Abia States with his gang.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice C.N. Akowundu, held that the prosecution successfully proved all eight charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang, who are still at large, trailed Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula in Aba while he was travelling with his wife. The couple was abducted, their vehicle stolen, and $2,800 taken from them.

While the wife was later released along the road, the husband was blindfolded and held in captivity for nearly six days. That same day, the gang also reportedly kidnapped another victim, Emmanuel Okezie, along the same route.

The victims were eventually freed after ransom payments of ₦3.7 million and ₦15 million respectively.

Justice Akowundu further noted that the defendant was known to operate with stolen vehicles, often re-registering them in his name and even gifting some to family members.

Although the defence counsel pleaded for leniency, citing that the defendant had no prior conviction and was a family man, the court rejected the appeal, stating that he showed no remorse throughout the trial.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Counsel Ikenna Obi, urged the court to apply the full weight of the law, stressing that the defendant had demonstrated no repentance.

In his final ruling, Justice Akowundu declared Ashiegbu guilty on all counts and sentenced him to death by hanging.