A Delta
State High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced a kidnapper of a Warri based
Journalist, James Okporua Otobrise to seventeen years imprison.
Owojela's
Blog reports that the court presided over by Hon. Justice F.N. Azinge(Mrs.)
handed down the judgement after the prosecution counsel, a Deputy Director,
T.P.I, Urai and E.S.Ifedora, dragged the case to court.
Delivering
judgment, the Court said,”I have considered the submissions of the learned
Defence Counsel in urging the Court to ameliorate the sentence.
“It is
common knowledge that the spate of kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria,
particularly Delta State.
” The
sentence is to act as a deterrent to others who believe that kidnapping is a
lucrative enterprise or business and to rid the society of people like the
defendant who live on crime.
“Therefore,
I will pronounce the sentence as is provided under the law.
“You, James
Okporua Otobrise is hereby sentenced as follows: Count I, 7 years imprisonment.
Count II, 10
years imprisonment. To run consecutively. This is the judgement of the Court. ”
The
kidnapper was arraigned by the Delta State Government on two counts charges
bordering on conspiracy to wit: Kidnapping but he pleaded not guilty to the
charges.
The offence
is punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws
of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006 and Section 364(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap
C21, Volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
It would be
recalled that Otobrise allegedly kidnapped the Warri based journalist, Prince
Monday Whiskey on the 19th of March, 2012 at Orhunwhorhun in Udu Local Government
Area of Delta State.
They held
the Journalist captive in an uncompleted building belonging to him (kidnapper),
blindfolded and chained his hands and legs.
However, the
journalist managed to escape through a window with chains in his hands from the
kidnapper’s den on the 20th of March 2012.
In a chat
with the Media, Prince Monday Whiskey hailed members of the Nigerian Union of
Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council for their support.
“I thank
members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel
and the Delta State Council for standing by me while the incident lasted.
” I also
commend the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man for vindicating me
from the allegation of crime as perpetuated by some powerful forces within the
Delta State Government.
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