A Delta State High Court has convicted and sentenced a man to 16 years in prison for conspiracy to commit arson and other related charges.
The court, located in Kwale and presided over by Justice O.F. Enenmo, ordered that the sentences of 10 and 6 years run concurrently.
Two other defendants, Efajemue Israel and Aziakpono Prince Eseoghene, were acquitted and discharged on all counts.
The three defendants, including Omote Efe, faced a seven-count charge for conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, and malicious damage under sections 516, 443, and 451 of the Criminal Code Laws, C21, Volume 1, and the Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
The prosecution, led by Delta State Ministry of Justice director Patrick Okoh, presented six witnesses and 10 exhibits. The defendants were accused of conspiring with others, now at large, to commit these offenses on April 15, 2023, in Ibrede, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, within the Kwale Judicial Division.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants deliberately and unlawfully burned down buildings and damaged properties, including vehicles valued at millions of naira, belonging to HRH Aruhor Mowe Gregory (PW4), Itive Ovie John (PW3), Akpokieren Blessing (PW2), and Victor Akokomebe (PW1).
The defendants denied the allegations and provided evidence in their defense. The court found that the prosecution had proved the charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and arson against the first defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the first defendant was convicted and sentenced to 6 years for conspiracy and 10 years for arson, both with hard labor, on counts 1 through 5. He was discharged on counts 6 and 7 related to malicious damage, while the second and third defendants were acquitted on all charges.
