The Delta State High Court sitting in Ibusa, presided over by Honourable Justice M. Omovie, has convicted and sentenced three men to death for the murder of the late King of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi Edward Akaelue Ofulue III.
The defendants, Suleiman Musa (m), Umar Mohammed (m), and Garba Abubakar Haruna, also known as Dogo (m), were found guilty of committing the offence on January 6, 2016.
The three defendants were arraigned before the court on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, and the murder of the royal father, Obi Edward Akaelue Ofulue III.
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In addition, the court convicted and sentenced one Jemilu Ahmed, who was found in possession of the late monarch’s phone, for receiving stolen property.
The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Anthony Orhorhoro, from the State Ministry of Justice, called five witnesses to substantiate its case.
Among the witnesses was Pastor Charles Afamefuna Ugboh, PW3, who was kidnapped alongside the monarch but survived the incident.
He provided eyewitness testimony, detailing how they were abducted at gunpoint by the defendants and recounting his eventual escape from captivity.
In her judgment, the trial judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against all the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced the three defendants responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Obi Edward Akaelue Ofulue III to death by hanging. Additionally, the 1st defendant, Jemilu Ahmed, was sentenced to 14 years in prison without the option of a fine for receiving the stolen property of the late monarch.
It will be recalled that the monarch was abducted along Obior Road alongside Pastor Afamefuna Ugboh. While the pastor managed to escape, the king was held in captivity, and his body was later discovered in the bush days after his abduction.
