Ex-Soldier Kills Man Who Offered Him Free Ride as Court Declares Final Judgement
- A high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, sentenced dismissed soldier Stephen Iweh to death by hanging for murdering Port Harcourt-based clearing manager Christopher Enobong Jimmy
- Iweh, formerly a corporal in the Nigerian Army, unlawfully possessed an AK-47 rifle used in the murder; he also stole the victim’s car and belongings before fleeing
- Justice Bassey Nkanang convicted Iweh on three counts, murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt
Uyo, Akwa Ibom state - A high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced a dismissed soldier, Stephen Iweh, to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a clearing and forwarding manager who had offered him a free ride.
Victim lured with promise of transport assistance
The court heard that 42-year-old Christopher Enobong Jimmy, based in Port Harcourt, had met Iweh at the Trailer Park in Onne, Rivers state, on 23 May 2021.
Out of goodwill, Jimmy agreed to give him a lift in his Toyota Matrix to Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom.
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However, upon reaching Oboro Junction in Ikot Abasi, Iweh shot him dead, stole his car, and fled with other belongings.
Ex-soldier in unlawful possession of military rifle
Investigations revealed that Iweh, formerly a corporal with the Nigerian Army’s 6 Battalion, Abak, had been in possession of an AK-47 rifle since 2018.
He admitted to taking the weapon during a military operation in Borno, and the same gun was used to kill Jimmy.
He was later traced to a guest house in Ukanafun, where he was arrested and the rifle was recovered.
Widow recalls husband’s last journey
The widow of the victim, Arit Jimmy, told the court that her husband left Port Harcourt to visit his sister in Ikot Abasi but never returned home.
Delivering judgment on Friday, September 24, Justice Bassey Nkanang held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Iweh on three counts: murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
He was sentenced to death by hanging for murder, death by hanging for armed robbery, and ten years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearms.
“The evidence before this court is overwhelming, and justice must be served,” Justice Nkanang declared.
Court sentences man to death for killing stepmother, sister
Previously, Legit.ng reported that a 22-year-old Sagiru Rijiyar-Zaki has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his stepmother and sister at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters in Kutama village, Gwarzo local government area of Kano state. Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu of the Kano High Court found Sagiru guilty of unlawful killing.
The court established that Sagiru fatally stabbed his stepmother, Rabi’atu Sagir, and strangled his sister, Munawara, using a scarf. The prosecution counsel, Barr. Lamido Abba-Sorondinki informed the court that the convict committed the offence on January 7, 2023.
Abba-Sorondinki presented two witnesses and tendered exhibits before the court to prove the case. Justice Adamu-Aliyu ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
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Source: Legit.ng
