The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence handed to a convicted kidnapper from Delta State, Chelynor Halim, bringing to an end a lengthy legal battle over his involvement in a high-profile abduction case.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court dismissed Halim’s appeal and upheld the judgment of the lower courts, ruling that the evidence against him was overwhelming and sufficient to sustain his conviction.
Halim was sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with the abduction of Joan Osemene in February 2014.
Court records showed that the victim was seized by a gang operating in Ibusa, Delta State, and taken to an undisclosed location. During the ordeal, she was reportedly assaulted, threatened with firearms and later rendered unconscious after a substance was placed over her nose.
The prosecution told the court that members of the gang dispossessed the victim of cash and her ATM card before withdrawing additional funds from her bank account. She was subsequently moved to another location where she was abandoned with her hands and legs tied.
The victim later managed to free herself and escape. In a dramatic twist, she encountered one of her attackers while attempting to leave the area. Upon recognising him, she raised an alarm, leading to his arrest by members of the public.
The suspect was later transferred to security operatives for investigation. During the probe, he reportedly provided information that led authorities to the gang’s hideout. A confrontation between security agents and the criminal group followed, resulting in the death of the gang leader, identified as Edozie Obude.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution successfully established the identity and participation of the appellant in the crimes. The court ruled that the evidence presented during trial clearly placed him at the scene and linked him directly to the kidnapping operation.
The Supreme Court consequently dismissed the appeal marked SC/CR/913/2022 for lacking merit and affirmed the sentence of death by hanging earlier imposed on the convict.
The judgment comes at a time when concerns over kidnapping and violent crimes remain high across Nigeria. Security agencies have continued efforts to tackle criminal networks responsible for abductions in several parts of the country.
