Arson: Court Sentences Man To 16-yr lmprisonment In Delta

A Delta State High Court has convicted and sentenced a man to 6 and 10 years imprisonment, respectively for offences bordering on conspiracy to commit arson and arson.

The Court, sitting at Kwale and presided over by Hon Justice O.F. Enenmo ruled that the offences are to run concurrently.

Two other defendants charged alongside the convicted defendant were discharged and acquitted on both counts.

The three defendants, namely Efajemue Israel (m), Aziakpono Prince Eseoghene (m) and Omote Efe (m) were arraigned before the court on a seven-count charge for the offences of conspiracy to commit felony to wit arson, arson and malicious damage punishable under Sections 516, 443, and and 451 of the Criminal Code Laws, C21, Volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006 respectively.

The prosecution, led by a Director in the Ministry of Justice in the state, Mr. Patrick Okoh fielded six witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits to prove the case.

The Defendants were alleged to have conspired with others, now at large to commit the said offences on April 15, 2023 at Ibrede in Ndokwa East local government area of Delta State within the Kwale Judicial Division.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants willfully and unlawfully burnt down buildings and damaged household properties, including vehicles worth millions of naira belonging to HRH Aruhor Mowe Gregory, (PW4) Itive Ovie John, ( PW3) Akpokieren Blessing (PW2) and Victor Akokomebe(PW1).

The defendants gave evidence in their defence and denied the allegations.

The court in its judgement held that the prosecution proved the ingredients of the offences of conspiracy to commit felony to wit; arson and arson against the 1st defendant beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly convicted and sentenced him to 6 & 10 years imprisonment respectively with hard labour on counts 1,2,3, 4 and 5.

The defendant was, however, discharged on counts 6 and 7 for the offence of malicious damage.

The 2nd and 3rd defendants were discharged and acquitted on all the counts for which they were charged.