A High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced four men to death by hanging for the abduction and maiming of the 62-year-old victim from Idung Nneke in Ukanafun local government area.
After eight years of waiting, justice has finally been served for Elder Idongesit Demas Udom, a retired ExxonMobil executive who was kidnapped and brutally mutilated despite the payment of a N5 million ransom in 2017.
The convicts Chinatu Iwe Abraham (38) from Abia State; William ThankGod Sunday (30); Ubon Monday Ebebe (30); and Saturday Jonah Udo (43), both from Ukanafun were found guilty on three counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and wounding with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.
Delivering judgement, Justice Gabriel Ette held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Three other defendants Kingsley John Akpan (32), Etimefiok Ime Ezekiel (37) and Joseph Sunday Etim (31) were discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crimes.
How the crisis began
During the trial, the court heard that trouble started on December 20, 2016, when the second convict, William ThankGod Sunday, attempted to organise a second “cultist carnival” in Idung Nneke.
The billboard advertising the event promoted smoking, drinking and eating competitions, prompting village elders to intervene and ban the event.
The elders, led by the victim then Administrator of the Royal Family and President of the Idung Nneke Development Association reported the matter to the Ukanafun Divisional Police Officer, who stopped the carnival.
Angered, the convict allegedly threatened Udom and his family, accusing him of interfering in village youth leadership matters.
Kidnapping plotted after failed carnival
According to the victim’s testimony, the convict later convened a meeting with his associates and a fleeing suspect, Saviour Paul Matthew, where he arranged for kidnappers from Abia State to abduct Udom. Local kidnappers reportedly refused to participate due to the victim’s standing and contributions to the community.
On March 16, 2017, the plot was executed. Even after the N5 million ransom was paid, the kidnappers amputated the victim’s arm before releasing him.
Sentences
Justice Ette ruled that the four convicted men would serve:
7 years imprisonment for conspiracy (count one)
Death by hanging for kidnapping (count two)
3 years imprisonment for wounding with intent to maim (count three)
The judge affirmed that the evidence presented — including testimony from five prosecution witnesses — clearly established their guilt.