A High Court sitting at Kwale, Delta State has sentenced a man, Efajemue Israel Aziakpono, to six and 10 years imprisonment, respectively, for the offences of conspiracy to commit arson and arson.
The court presided by Justice O.F. Enenmo convicted and sentenced Aziakpono to 16 years imprisonment for the offences, sentences which would run concurrently.
The two other defendants charged alongside the convict were discharged and acquited on both counts.
The three defendants, namely, Efajemue Israel, Aziakpono Prince Eseoghene and Omote Efe were arraigned before the court on seven counts for the offences of conspiracy to commit felony to wit arson, arson and malicious damage punishable under Sections 516, 443, and and 451 of the Criminal Code Laws, C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006 respectively.
The prosecution, led by a director in the Ministry of Justice Asaba, Mr. Patrick Okoh, fielded six witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits.
The defendants were alleged to have conspired with others now at large to commit the said offences on April 15, 2023, at Ibrede in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State within the Kwale Judicial Division.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants wilfully and unlawfully burnt down buildings and damaged household properties, including vehicles worth millions of naira belonging to the HRH Aruhor Mowe Gregory, (PW4) Itive Ovie John, ( PW3) Akpokieren Blessing (PW2) and Victor Akokomebe(PW1).
The defendants gave evidence in their defence and denied the allegations.
The court in its judgement delivered that “the prosecution proved the ingredients of the offences of conspiracy to commit felony to wit; arson and arson against the 1st defendant beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly convicted and sentenced him to six and 10 years imprisonment respectively with hard labour on counts 1,2,3, 4 & 5.”
The defendant was, however, discharged on counts 6 & 7 for the offence of malicious damage.
The second and third defendants were discharged and acquitted on all the counts for which they were charged.
PUNCH
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