A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Ogbia Local Government Council Area has sentenced a four-man gang that kidnapped the Former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Bayelsa State, Federal Otokito, in 2022, to 40 years each in imprisonment.
The Court, presided over by Justice S.W.Amaduobogha, while delivering judgement in the suit numbered OHC/4c/2022, declared that Kingsley Obhesi (24), Joshua Abi (32), Gift Damene (38) and Powell Inegite (36) are guilty as charged on conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
The convicted persons were arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo and believed to be boys working with a prominent ex-militant leader from the Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state.
The Police Prosecuting Counsel, Stella Jerry-Friday Esq, while briefing the court stated that the convict on the 20th day of January 2022 at the Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa armed with sophisticated guns and offensive weapons, unlawfully took away, Mr Federal Otokito, against his will to Igbomotoru bush in Southern Ijaw area of the State with the intent to demand ransom or any other unlawful consideration and thereby committed an offence.”
Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, after hearing from the Police Prosecution counsel and the Defence counsels declared that the investigative and prosecution team had done due diligence and proved beyond reasonable doubt the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of Firearms against the convicts.
Some members of the Otuokpoti community where the Former Commissioner hails from in Ogbia LGA commended the Bayelsa Police Command particularly the Operatives of Operation Puff Adder led by Chris Nwaogbo for their diligent investigation and prosecution.
Recall that the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Otokito Federal, was abducted from his residence in Otuokpoti, Ogbia LGA of the state.
The gunmen were reported to have invaded the neighbourhood, shooting randomly into the air to frighten the locals before whisking the Former Commissioner away.