A man, Ekerete Ukpong of Udok Atai community, Ikono Local
Government area of Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, wailed uncontrollably after
the High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene sentenced him to death for kidnapping a
four-year-old boy.
The presiding judge, Justice Augustine Odokwo, said the
prosecuting counsel had told the court that the victim, Success Amos Kalu, a
native of Ohafia in Abia State, is yet to be found since he was kidnapped on 25
September, 2015, at Ibiakpan Akananwan, Ikot Ekpene.
He said the court found the convict guilty of kidnapping,
punishable by death, under section one of Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and
Enforcement Law, 2009.
While condemning the spike in kidnapping accross the
country, Odokwo urged every one to join hands in ensuring that the menace is
tackled.
He held that, “the convict is taking the punishment alone
although records show that he acted in consent with others, who are now at
large.”
Justice Odokwo added the judgmentshould serve as warning to
everyone that the full weight of the law will descend on kidnappers.
He held, “I have gone through Section 1 (2) of Akwa Ibom
State Internal Security and Enforcement Law 2009, the section that provides for
punishment for the offense of kidnapping. That section of the law provides for
only one punishment. I will in this circumstance, follow the law and the law
only. The sentence of this Court against the convict is death.”
The court held that, “His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa
Ibom State will determine the means and place of the execution within the
State.”
Our correspondent reports that before the sentence, Odokwo
had changed to a black cap and the convict wept uncontrollably in the
courtroom, before he was whisked away by officials of Nigeria Correctional
Centre, Ikot Ekpene.
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