The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed to a Delta State-based kidnapper, Chelynor Halim, bringing an end to his appeal against his conviction.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court dismissed Halim’s appeal and affirmed the decisions of the lower courts, which had found him guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Halim was convicted by a High Court in Asaba in 2017 for his role in the kidnapping of Joan Osemene on February 9, 2014.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Halim and other members of a kidnapping gang abducted Osemene and took her to a location in the Ibusa area of Delta State.
The victim told the court that the kidnappers robbed her of her ATM card and N10,000 cash before withdrawing an additional N55,000 from her bank account.
She said she was later tied up and abandoned at another location. However, she managed to free herself and escape.
While trying to get help on her way out, Osemene flagged down a commercial motorcyclist but was shocked to discover that he was one of the kidnappers involved in her abduction.
She immediately raised an alarm, attracting passersby who helped apprehend the suspect. He was later handed over to operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Investigations that followed led security operatives to the gang’s hideout. During the operation, the alleged gang leader, Edozie Obude, was killed in a gun battle with security personnel.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution successfully proved Halim’s involvement in the crimes beyond reasonable doubt.
The court ruled that the evidence presented during the trial clearly identified Halim as one of the kidnappers and linked him directly to the offences.
As a result, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal and upheld the death sentence by hanging imposed on him by the trial court.
The judgment brings to a close a legal battle that began after Halim’s conviction in 2017.
