Court sentences three to d3ath for m8rder of Delta monarch

A High Court sitting in Ibusa, Delta State has sentenced three men to d3ath by hanging for the m3rder of Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III, the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom.

Obi Ofulue was abducted by gunmen along the Ubulu-Uku-Obior Road in January 2016 and later k!lled by his captors. 

His then 15-year-old son, Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, was installed as king a month after his death. 

The convicts, Suleiman Musa, Garba Abubakar, and Haruna were sentenced on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by Justice M.O. Omovie.

A fourth defendant, Jemilu Ahmed, was sentenced to five and 14 years imprisonment for his involvement in the crime. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omovie declared that the prosecution had proven its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their conviction on a 10-count charge.

“The court upholds that the prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt the 10-count charge against the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants,” she said. 

“The 1st defendant is hereby sentenced to five and 14 years imprisonment on the two charges against him, to run concurrently without an option of fine

“The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants are sentenced to death by hanging on the neck.”

Speaking after the judgment, Mrs. J.E. Odogun, who led the prosecution team, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.

She explained that the defendants conspired to kidnap, rob, and eventually murder the monarch on January 6, 2016.

“It was established that the defendants conspired among themselves to rob at gunpoint and abducted one Charles Afamefun Ugboh on the same day,” Odogun said. 

“Their involvement was confirmed by witnesses during the trial, leaving no doubt about their culpability.”