A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced a kidnapper of a Warri based Journalist, James Okporua Otobrise to seventeen years imprison.
DAILY POST 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 DAILY POST, 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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