A Bayelsa High Court sitting in Ogbia Town, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state has sentenced four kidnappers to 40 years each, amounting to 160 years.

The four men had kidnapped the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Federal Otokito, on January 20, 2022, and demanded ransom payment.

Delivering judgment in Suit No OHC/4C/2022 on Thursday, the presiding judge, S.W. Amaduobogha, declared that Kingsley Obhesi (24), Joshua Abi (32), Gift Damene (38) and Powell Inegite (36) were guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

The police prosecuting counsel, Stella Jerry-Friday, told the court that on January 20, 2022, at Otuokpoti community in the Ogbia Local Government Area, the convicts armed with sophisticated guns and offensive weapons, unlawfully took away Federal Oparminola Otokito against his will.

Jerry-Friday said, “They took him to Igbomotoru bush in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state with the intent to demand ransom or any other unlawful consideration and thereby committed an offence.”

The presiding judge, S.W. Amaduobogha, declared that the investigative and prosecution team had done due diligence and proved beyond reasonable doubt the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms against the convicts.

PUNCH