Court sentences two to death for murder

The Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of Miss Elozino Joshualia Ogege, a first-class 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Macaulay Desmond Oghenemaro and Enaike Onoriode on charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder.

The court, however, acquitted and discharged the third defendant, Nwosisi Benedict Uche, after holding that the prosecution failed to establish his culpability.

Ogege, an indigene of Isoko, Delta State, was murdered in 2019 in a case that shocked the nation. She had reportedly gone to meet a man who promised to help her secure accommodation in Abraka before she was allegedly abducted and killed by suspected ritualists linked to internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo plus.”

The Delta State Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, prosecuted the suspects on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and murder. A fourth defendant, Robinson Obajero Ojokojo, a native doctor, died before the conclusion of the trial.

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The case lingered in court for years due to repeated adjournments, largely caused by the absence of counsel to the first defendant, before final written addresses were adopted and judgment eventually delivered.

Reacting to the verdict, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), who led the prosecution, described the decision as a “landmark judgement.”

“Today, we witnessed the conclusion of a trial that commenced about nine years ago. The court found the first and third defendants guilty of the offences of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping,” Erebe said.

“And the offences of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. They were sentenced on various counts of imprisonment. But for the offences of conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Miss Elozino Ogege, they were sentenced to death by hanging.”

He said the judgment represented justice for the deceased’s family after years of waiting.

“Today, on behalf of the Delta State Government and the Commissioner for Justice, our condolences go to the family. The family has been waiting for justice for nine years, and justice has been delivered to them and the entire family.”

“You could notice that the mother of the deceased was very emotional in court. It is normal. We are still hopeful. Our prayer is that, yes, this judgement will not bring her back, but it will help them find closure.”

Erebe also said the judgment should serve as a deterrent to young people engaging in internet fraud and ritual killings.

“Secondly, this is a judgement that sends a message. The ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ or whatever you call it, ritual killings or whatever, in the end, the law will take its course.”

“So, to young men who believe that they want to get rich quickly through ritual killings and all these methods, eventually you will end up like the first and third defendants in this matter. The law will take its course. No matter how long it takes, the law will eventually take its course. I advise you to, please, desist from crime.”

Also reacting, Isoko lawyer Duncan Afahokor described the judgment as “Justice at last,” saying it was a case where “justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done.”

He said the verdict would strengthen public confidence in the justice system and send a clear signal that perpetrators of violent crimes would ultimately face the full weight of the law.