The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Wednesday sentenced five persons to death by hanging for their involvement in the abduction and murder of a legal practitioner, Iyoha Osobase.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted one of the defendants, Solomon Esuike, citing insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.
Delivering judgment in Charge No. B/CD/136C/22, The State versus Valentine Dibie and Five Others, the presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikpomwonba, held that the prosecution proved its case against five of the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently convicted the five defendants on charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder, imposing various prison terms and sentences, including death by hanging.
“It is clear that the prosecution successfully proved its case against five of you (the defendants) beyond reasonable doubt. However, the evidence presented against the second defendant, Solomon Esuike, was insufficient to sustain the charges against him. He is hereby discharged and acquitted,” the judge stated.
