Court sentences two policemen, three others to death for kidnapping

Harrison Essien, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene, on Friday sentenced two Nigeria policemen and three others to death for kidnapping an Uyo-based cattle dealer, Alhaji Muhammad Umar Barkindo.

The condemned policemen are Corporal Friday Udo, a native of Ikot Inyang in Oruk Anam Local Government Area and Corporal Saturday Okorie of Ikot Etenge also in Oruk Anam, who have since been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.

Condemned also to death were Walter Jack Udo, a native of Iwok Nsit in Nsit Atai; Udo Moses Akpaetuk of Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom and Udo Okon Etim from Ikot Asua in Nsit Atai whose house was used to keep the victim, while demanding N100 million as ransom.

They court was presided over by Justice Eno Isangedighi.

The judgement laid to rest the 10 years trial of the 8-man squad who were also linked to the kidnap of a medical expert at the University of Uyo, Dr. Ini Enang in August 2011: a case which the court discharged and acquitted the accused for want of evidence.

The three other accused died in the course of their trial with their names struck out by the court.

In her judgment, Justice Eno Isangedighi held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts and found the accused guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping Alhaji Muhammad Umar Barkindo on 25th November 2011, an offense punishable by death in Section one subsection two of Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law 2009.

Justice Isangedighi prayed God to have mercy upon the souls of the condemned kidnappers.