A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced twin brothers and five other men to death by hanging over the kidnapping and murder of a Catholic priest, Reverend Edwin Isaiah Dokubo-Harry, in a case that has run for more than a decade.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Boma Diepiri found the defendants guilty on charges bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, and illegal possession of firearms.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved that the accused persons and others still at large lured the cleric to a forested area in Abalama community, Asari-Toru, on December 6, 2013, where he was abducted, restrained, and later killed.
Justice Diepiri, while pronouncing the sentence, stated:
“The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging until they are confirmed dead in accordance with the law.”
He further ordered that all recovered exhibits, including a firearm tendered in evidence, be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for custody.
The convicted persons are Precious Jack Opara, Answer Dick, Osaki Fubara, Prince Mikado Philip, Tienabeso George, Seleipri Fubara, and Alaboeriya Fubara.
Two other defendants, Emmanuel Israel and Nephew Philemon, were discharged and acquitted after the court ruled that the evidence presented against them was insufficient.
In his ruling, the judge also noted:
“Where the evidence falls short of linking an accused person to the offence charged, the court has a duty to discharge and acquit such persons.”
The judgment brought emotional scenes inside the courtroom as relatives and supporters of the convicts reacted visibly to the sentencing, with some breaking down in tears following the pronouncement.
The case has remained one of the most closely followed criminal trials in Rivers State since the killing of the cleric in 2013.
