From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
Two persons, Abel Okoro and Vincent Wilson have been sentenced to life imprisonment by a state High Court in Port Harcourt, for the kidnap of the wife of Senator George Thompson-Sekibo and two of her female friend, about seven years ago.
It would be recalledl that the wife of the senator, Princess Asime Sekibo and Evely Awinika-Osai were kidnapped on March 22, 2012 around Obiri Ikwerre axis of East-West road on their way back from Study at the University of Port Harcourt.
The convicts were first arraigned before a High Court in Port Harcourt on September 21, 2012, on nine-count charge of felony, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.
The convicted persons were also reported to have collected the total sum of 10million naira from the family of the victims around Mbiama in Ahoada West before the victims were released.
Ruling on the matter yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice E. Thompson, agreed with the position of the prosecution counsel that the confessional statements by the defendants, which revealed how they conspired to commit the crime, were made voluntarily and not by any form of inducement.
Justice Thompson ruled that the court found the accused guilty of counts three and four, which borders on conspiracy, attempted kidnap and kidnap of Princess Asime Sekibo and Everly Awinika-Osai and thereafter sentenced the two to life imprisonment without an option of fine.
