Imo Court Sentences 28-Year-Old POS Operator to Death for Murder

An Imo family is still searching for answers after kidnappers allegedly killed an 83-year-old man and his driver, even after collecting ransom. Now, a court has sentenced one of the convicted men to death.

An Imo State High Court has sentenced 28-year-old POS operator Isaac Okorie to death by hanging after convicting him on six counts linked to the kidnapping and murder of an 83-year-old man and his driver.

An Imo State High Court sitting in Urualla, Orlu Judicial Division, has sentenced a 28-year-old point-of-sale (POS) operator, Isaac Okorie, to death by hanging for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of an 83-year-old man and his driver.

Okorie was convicted on six counts bordering on armed robbery, hostage-taking and murder after the court found him guilty of participating in the crime.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Matthew Ijezie held that the prosecution had established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt through the evidence presented by its witnesses.

The judge said the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case supported the charges against Okorie on all six counts.

Recounting the incident, Justice Ijezie said the crime occurred on October 14, 2023, at Isiekenesi in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.

The court heard that Okorie conspired with members of a criminal gang, who were armed with guns, to abduct Chief Alexander Chukwuma Okoli, 83, and his driver, Daniel Sarki.

The gang reportedly took the two men into a bush and stole Okoli’s gold-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number AAH 989 RM.

According to the court, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦100 million from the victims’ family but eventually received ₦2.515 million.

Despite collecting the money, the gang allegedly killed the two men and sent photographs of their lifeless bodies to the family.

Their remains have yet to be recovered.

During the trial, the court heard that police investigations identified Okorie’s role in the gang’s operations as receiving ransom payments from victims’ families.

Following his conviction on all six counts, the court gave Okorie an opportunity to make an allocutus, a plea for leniency before sentencing.

He pleaded for mercy but Justice Ijezie sentenced him to death by hanging.

Prosecution, Victim’s Family React

Speaking after the judgment, Ikenna Obi, a senior state counsel with the Imo State Ministry of Justice who prosecuted the case, described the ruling as significant.

Obi said the judgment would provide some relief to the victims’ family, despite the continued uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of the victims’ remains.

He added that the decision should serve as a deterrent to those involved in criminal activities and individuals considering joining criminal gangs, stressing that offenders would ultimately be held accountable under the law.

The state counsel also commended the judge for delivering what he described as a well-considered judgment in accordance with the law.

Amanda, the daughter of one of the victims, equally expressed relief following the court’s decision, saying the punishment had brought some comfort to the family.

However, she said the family remained distressed by the fact that her father’s body and that of his driver had not been recovered.

She expressed hope that other suspects still at large would be arrested and brought to justice.