Mirian Gom 
UYO, Nigeria – An Akwa Ibom State High Court sentences four convicted kidnappers to death by hanging over the abduction and killing of a businessman.
Justice Archibong Archibong finds the men guilty of kidnapping Chijioke Anyanwu, owner of Jon KAMSY Supermarket, after collecting a ₦3 million ransom. Anyanwu later dies in captivity.
The convicts — Marvelous Ndah, Anthony Akpan, Aniema Eshiet and Onyebule Ogbonna — are linked to a syndicate that terrorised parts of Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. “The prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge rules, expressing hope the verdict deters future crimes.
The court heard that Anyanwu was abducted outside his Ikot Abasi residence in January 2016 and buried in a shallow grave after his death.
Evidence also links the gang to the kidnapping of university lecturer Jewel Emem Thomas, who is later released after a ₦2 million ransom payment. Two co-defendants are discharged for lack of evidence.
Investigators from the Department of State Services trace the syndicate through Ndah’s arrest.
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