Dead Man Sentenced To 40 Yrs Imprisonment

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Ogbia Local Government Council area has sentenced a dead man, Believe Leisure and three other kidnappers of the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Federal Otokito in 2022 to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The Court, presided over by Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, declared that Kingsley Obhesi, 24, Joshua Abi, 32, Gift Damene, 38 and Powell Inegite, 36y were guilty as charged on conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
The convicted persons were arrested by operatives of the Operation Puff Adder Unit, Bayelsa Police Command led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo. They were believed to be working with a prominent ex-militant leader from Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the State.
The police prosecutor, Stella Jerry-Friday, had told the court that the convicts on the 20th day of January, 2022 at the Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa and armed with sophisticated guns and offensive weapons, unlawfully took away one Federal Oparminola Otokito against his will to IgbomotoruI bush in Southern Ijaw area of the State with the intent to demand ransom or any other unlawful consideration and thereby committed an offence.”
The judge subsequently declared that the investigative and prosecution team did due diligence and proved beyond reasonable doubt the case conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms against the convicts.
Kinsmen of Otokito from Otuokpoti community commended the police and operatives of the Operation Puff Adder led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo for their diligent investigation and prosecution.
The armed gunmen were reported to have invaded the neighbourhood, shooting randomly into the air to frighten the locals before whisking the Former Commissioner away.
Meanwhile, a Brass High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Friday convicted two persons, and sentenced them to five years imprisonment each for conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
The convicts are Believe Leisure, 36, and Jacob Doukumo, 42. According to the prosecution, the convicts were arrested by the men of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command on the December 24, 2022 along Sangana creek in Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa.
According to the Police Counsel, Stella .Jerry-Friday, the convicts were arrested on the charge of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery which is an offence punishable under section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act. CAP. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That Believe Leisure, Jacob Doukumo and three others at large on the 24th day of December, 2022 at about 6:00hours at Sangana Akassa in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State while armed with a one single barrel gun and two machetes, attacked one Johnbull Newyear and one Jackson surname yet unknown and robbed them of 30 horsepower Suzuki outboard engine valued at N600,000 only.”
The prosecution counsel had also informed the court that after diligent investigation by the Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo, Believe Leisure and Jacob Doukumo were arrested and later remanded in custody.
The prosecution said that while Jacob Doukumo was present in court for sentencing, Believe Leisure died in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Okaka, Yenagoa while awaiting trial.
The Presiding Judge, Justice T.Y Abasi found the accused guilty on the three counts and sentenced them to five years imprisonment.