Man bags 16 years jail term for arson in Delta

A Delta State High Court sitting at Kwale and presided over by Justice O.F. Enenmo has convicted and sentenced a man to six and 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit arson and arson.

The sentences imposed by the court for 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 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 Asaba, Mr. Patrick Okoh, fielded six witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits.

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 judgment delivered on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 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 & 5.

The Defendant was, however, discharged on counts 6 & 7 for the offence of malicious damage, while the 2nd and 3rd Defendants were discharged and acquitted on all the counts for which they were charged.