By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
A Bayelsan State High Court sitting in Ogbia Local Government Area has sentenced each of the four men who kidnapped the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in the state, Hon. Federal Otokito in 2022 to 40 years in prison.
The Court, presided over by Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, while delivering judgement in suit number OHC/4c/2022, declared that Kingsley Obhesi (24yrs), Joshua Abi (32yrs), Gift Damene (38yrs) and Powell Inegite (36yrs) are guilty as charged on conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of fire arms.
The convicted persons were arrested by operatives of the Operation Puff Adder, led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo, and are believed to be boys working with a prominent ex-militant leader from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Police Prosecuting Counsel, Stella Jerry-Friday Esq, while briefing the court stated that the accused on 20th January, 2022, at the Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and armed with sophisticated guns and offensive weapons, unlawfully abducted Federal Oparminola Otokito against his will to Igbomotoru bush in Southern Ijaw area of the state, with the intent to demand ransom or any other unlawful consideration and thereby committed an offence.
Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, after hearing from the Police Prosecution counsel and the Defence counsel declared that the investigative and prosecution team had done due diligence and proof beyond reasonable doubt on the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of fire arms against the convicts.
Some members of the Otuokpoti community where the former commissioner hail from in Ogbia LGA commended the Bayelsa Police Command particularly the operatives of the Operation Puff Adder led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo for their diligent investigation and prosecution.
Recall that the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Otokito Federal Oparmiola was abducted from his residence in Otuokpoti, Ogbia LGA of the state.
The armed gunmen were reported to have invaded the neighbourhood, shooting randomly into the air to frighten the locals before whisking the Former Commissioner away.
