A middle aged man in Rivers state has been sentenced by the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, to death by hanging for killing four persons and using the intestine of one of the victims to prepare meal in Okwalie community in Khana Local Government Area of the State.
The convict, whose name was revealed as Bestman Lekia, also known as “Biggie” was found guilty of murder, armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping and cultism, and was therefore sentenced accordingly.
Lekia and others now at large were reported to have killed four victims whose identities were given as Gbodu Nobaale, Etim Ekpe, Nenalebarri Mmeabe and Loveday Mmeabe after they were kidnapped and taken to an undisclosed location in the local government area.
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According to revelation, one of those kidnapped by the convict and his gang members was Loveday Mmeable whose stomach was ripped open and his intestine used to prepare pepper soup and plantain meal by the abductors in 2019.
The trial Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli in his judgment found Bestman Lekia guilty of murder, kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery.
Justice Enebeli stated that the prosecution counsel was able to prove his case with the necessary evidence and presentations.
He said the attitude of the convict throughout his trial proved that he is a hardened criminal, cultist and terror who if possible, is supposed to be hanged four times and die four times. Justice Enebeli ruled that he should be hanged on his neck until he is confirmed dead.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, the state prosecution counsel, Chidi Ekeh expressed happiness with the judgment, saying it has taken a threat out of the society.
Ekeh stated, “As a human being, I do not take delight in the fact that he (Lekia) is going to die. But I feel happy that the law and the state did not fail the society.
“That Ogoni community will know peace that they will never see him again. So to me, it was a hard-nose judgment. The judge has demonstrated once again that he is worth his salt.”
The defense counsel, N. O. Megwari declined comment on the judgment.
