An Imo state High Court sitting at Urualla, Orlu Judicial Division on Tuesday sentenced Isaac Okorie, a 28-year-old Point of Sale operator to death on a six count charges bordering on armed robbery, hostage taking and murder.
Okorie, male is a native of Umulolo in Okigwe local government area of Imo state where he has a POS stand as well as a barbing salon outfit.
The presiding judge, Hon. Justice M. C Ijezie, in his judgment said the defendant (Isaac Okorie) was guilty of the six count charges levelled against him.him. He stated that the Prosecution through its witnesses discharged the burden of Proof beyond reasonable doubt. While stating that all surrounding circumstances in the case goes to show that the Defendant was guilty of the offenses Charged.
He recalled that, “on the 14th day of October, 2023, at Isiekenesi, Ideato-south LGA of Imo state, the defendant, Isaac Okorie as an accomplice to the crime conspired with his gang members while armed with guns and took Chief Alexander Chukwuma Okoli, an eighty-three-year-old and his driver, Daniel Sarki, hostage in the bush.”
He said the defendant and his gang members also made away with the victim’s golden coloured Toyota Corolla car with registration number: AAH 989 RM.
After demanding for a ransom of hundred million naira, the family was able to pay a total of two million, five hundred and fifteen thousand naira, they eventually killed the two victims and sent the picture of their lifeless bodies to the family.
Investigation by the police later proved that the defendant’s role was to receive ransoms paid by their unsuspecting victims on several operations they had embarked on.
Justice Ijezie in his final judgement said the accused, Isaac Okorie, was guilty of all the charges levelled against him hence pronounced that he dies by hanging.
Having been found guilty of all charges, the Court called for “allocutus” as the accused pleaded for leniency.
Dr.Ikenna Obi, a senior state Counsel of Imo state Ministry of Justice who was the Prosecuting Counsel, while speaking after the judgment described the ruling by the Judge as a remarkable one. He said the death penalty would go a long way in reposing the souls of the slain victims whose lifeless bodies are yet to be recovered.
He said the judgement will equally serve as a deterrent to those who are yet into all manner of criminal activities as well as those who may want to be conscripted into it, insisting that the long arm of the law will gradually catch up with them and justice must be served.
He thanked the Judge for delivering a well considered Judgement which is in line with the dictates of the Law.
The daughter of the deceased, Mrs Amanda who spoke immediately after the judgment heaved a sigh of relief that justice was eventually meted out to the defendant. She said, although, his father’s and driver’s corpses are yet to be found, her family would be a bit relieved that the perpetrators of the dastardly act did not go unpunished.
She hoped that those other criminals at large would be eventually caught and also face the music accordingly, thanking the security agencies,the Prosecution and the Court for their efforts in seeing that justice was served.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
