An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping operations carried out across Imo and Abia states.
Justice C.N. Akowundu delivered the ruling after declaring the defendant guilty on all eight counts filed by the prosecution, bringing a dramatic conclusion to a case that detailed multiple violent crimes linked to a kidnapping gang still at large.
Court records showed that Ashiegbu, an indigene of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested in 2024 along the Okigwe Road in Owerri while allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted involvement in several kidnapping and armed robbery operations alongside accomplices who remain on the run, according to prosecution accounts presented in court.
One of the major incidents detailed in evidence was the abduction of Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula and his wife in Aba, Abia State. The victims were said to have been trailed to their residence before being kidnapped and dispossessed of their vehicle and $2,800.
While the woman was later released, her husband was allegedly held captive for about six days before regaining freedom after ransom was paid. Another victim, Emmanuel Okezie, was also abducted on the same day and released after further ransom negotiations.
The prosecution told the court that ransom payments totalling ₦3.7 million and ₦15 million were linked to the release of the victims, underscoring the scale of the criminal operations attributed to the gang.
Ashiegbu was also accused of specialising in vehicle theft and fraudulently transferring ownership documents into his name, with some stolen vehicles allegedly traced to members of his family network.
Justice Akowundu held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and noted that the convict showed no remorse throughout the trial proceedings.
Although defence counsel urged the court to show leniency, arguing that Ashiegbu had no prior criminal record and was responsible for his family, the plea was rejected.
“The gravity of the offences and the absence of remorse do not justify a lighter sentence,” the judge ruled before sentencing him to death by hanging on all counts.
Prosecuting counsel Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel from the Imo State Ministry of Justice, had earlier urged the court to apply the full weight of the law in the matter.
