Three men sentenced to death for kidnap, murder of ex-lawmaker

A high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sentenced three men to death over the murder of a former lawmaker.

The three men — Boma Thompson, Emelike Mathias, and Daniel Thankgod — were convicted on Thursday for the kidnap and murder of Abbot Ogbobula, a former lawmaker.

However, the court discharged and acquitted one of the suspects.

In June 2023, Ogbobula was kidnapped in the Ahoada area of the state and taken to Manikin Bush in Degema LGA where he was held hostage and died in captivity.

He was buried in a shallow grave in the bush. The body was later exhumed in the course of a police investigation of the case.

Delivering judgment, Monina Danagogo, the presiding judge, sentenced the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants to seven years imprisonment with no option of fine on count one.

In respect of count two, they were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.

For count three, they were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with no option of fine.

In respect of count four, they were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging or by lethal injection.