Kidnapper Of Journalist Bags 17 Years Jail Term In Delta

A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced one James Okporua Otobrise to seventeen years imprisonment for kidnapping the media aide to former chairman of DESOPADEC and Warri based journalist, Monday Whiskey.

Hon. Justice F.N. Azinge (Mrs.) who delivered the judgement said, “I have considered the submissions of the learned Defence Counsel who urged the Court to ameliorate the sentence.

“It is common knowledge that the spate of kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria, particularly Delta State.

“The sentence is to act as deterrent to others who believe that kidnapping is a lucrative enterprise or business and to rid the society of people like the Defendant who live on crime.

“Therefore I will pronounce the sentence as is provided under the law. You James Okporua Otobrise is hereby sentenced as follows:

Count I. 7 years imprisonment. Count II. 10 years imprisonment. To run consecutively. This is the judgement of the Court.”

The prosecution counsel, a Deputy Director, T.P.I, Uraih and E.S.Ifedora slugged the matter out legally for the defendant.

BigPen Online recalls that the kidnapper was arraigned by the Delta State Government on two counts charges bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The offence is punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006 and Section 364(2) of the Criminal Code,Cap C21, Volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

Otobrise allegedly kidnapped the Warri based Journalist, Monday Whiskey on the 19th of March 2012 at Orhunwhorhun in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

They held the Journalist captive in an uncompleted building belonging to him (kidnapper), blindfolded and chained his hands and legs.

However, the Journalist managed to escape through a window with chains in his hands from the kidnappers den on the 20th of March 2012.

In his bid to escape, the victim ran into the kidnapper unknowingly to him who offered to help him (journalist) by taking him on his motorcycle.

However, realizing that his helper was the kidnapper who carried him that night, a scuffle ensued between them when the cyclist was s on motion.

The journalist gave the kidnapper a human bite during the scuffle which led to the imbalance of the motorcycle as it fell down.

Sensing danger, the kidnapper zoomed off under the dark night into adjoining roads leaving his victim until the current Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire who was traveling through the route coincidentally came to the rescue of the victim along Oguname-Olomu.

Omafuaire carried his colleague to Otu-Jeremi Police Station with chains in boths hands and legs that same night.

Police investigation led to the arrest of Otobrise, the kidnapper wherein he made confessional statements voluntarily.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Prince Monday Whiskey expressed confidence on the judiciary for the judgement and also thanked members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Delta State Council for standing by him.

“I also commend the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man for vindicating me from the allegation of crime as perpetuated by some powerful forces within the Delta State Government”.