Kidnappers Sentenced To Death By Hanging Over Doctor’s Abduction

On Thursday, another state High Court sitting in Abakaliki, sentenced two persons, Onyemachi Oge and Okechukwu Oma, to death by hanging for kidnapping a medical doctor, Dr. Chuka Manyinke.

The duo, alongside Chukwuemeka Levi, Idris Oken, Edeke Desmond and Ijeoma Oge, were accused of kidnapping Manyinke, a doctor of paediatrics at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki on May 5, 2013 at his private hospital located on 15, Owerri Street, Abakaliki. Manyinke’s security guard, identified simply as Peter, was shot dead for attempting to prevent the hoodlums from kidnapping his boss.

The sum of N3 million ransom was paid before the medical doctor was released after six days in captivity.

Onyemachi Oge and Oma got N200,000 from the ransom. Oma, a tailor opposite Manyinke’s hospital, provided information to the kidnappers and gave them directives on how to perfect the act while Onyemachi supplied beer, biscuits and water to the doctor during his days in captivity. All the accused persons have been in prison custody since the incident.

Delivering judgment on the matter yesterday at High Court 3, Justice Eze Udu said the prosecution counsel, I. I. Anikwe, proved his case against Onyemachi Oge the 4th accused and Okechukwu Oma 6th accused beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to death by hanging.

[NAN]