A State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, sentenced three policemen, a woman and three other men to death by hanging for kidnapping a woman.
The woman was hired by the kidnap syndicate for N50, 000 to cook for their victim, Ime Ekanem, while they negotiated for ransom.
The suspects are Emmanuel Charlie, Ekaette Moses, Fidelis Jeremiah, Bassey Sunday, Mfon Bassey, Ndu Johnny, Unyime Etukakpan, and Itohowo Akpakwa.
Justice Joy Unwana found seven out of them guilty of three-count charges of conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, and concealing, aiding and sponsoring kidnapping.
The state first instituted the suit against the gang in 2012.
The judge said: “The decision of the court to pass the death sentence is in tandem with the anti-kidnapping law of Akwa Ibom State. It is loud statement to the country that the crime of kidnapping is grievous offence in the state and punishable by death. I hope it will discourage those planning to engage in the crime to steer clear off Akwa Ibom.”
The eighth accused, Mrs Akpakwa, a member of staff of University of Uyo (UNIUYO) was the only one who escaped the capital punishment.
She was said to have stated in her statement which was admitted as exhibit, that she visited her friend in a bar at Idakeyop Aka, where she gave the seventh accused, Etukakpan, money to buy medicine for his ill-health.
Akpakwa denied knowledge of the plot to kidnap her friend and neighbour, Ekanem. Her story was confirmed by three other members of the syndicate.
