A Rivers State High Court located in Port Harcourt has adjudicated three individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the abduction and killing of a pharmacist, Muenalo Sunday, in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The presiding judge, Justice Augusta Chukwu, issued the death penalty on Friday to Confidence Kirinee, commonly referred to as General Illa, Precious Mona, and Soniabari Sagha after determining their guilt in conspiracy, cultism, kidnapping, and murder.
In the same ruling, the court found Loveday Legah guilty of affiliation with a secret cult group connected to the offense and condemned him to life imprisonment.
The judge further stated that the prosecution had convincingly proven the allegations against the convicts beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court established that the accused individuals, identified as members of the Iceland cult group, were culpable for the abduction and slaying of the victim on March 5, 2019, in the Zaakpo community of Khana LGA.
The judge relied on confessional declarations and additional evidence presented throughout the trial to affirm that the defendants acted collaboratively to kidnap and murder the pharmacist.
The court heard that the victim was slain and dismembered, with his head and other crucial body parts removed before his remains were discarded in a pit, while the severed head was reportedly taken to a shrine in a nearby community.
Justice Chukwu consequently mandated that Kirinee, Mona, and Sagha be executed by hanging until confirmed dead, while Legah is to spend the balance of his life in prison for his association with the cult activities that led to the crime.
Counsel for the convicts refrained from commenting on the ruling following the proceedings.
Conversely, the prosecuting attorney, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, commended the judgment, characterizing it as “comprehensive” and “a testament that justice has been administered.”
In response to the ruling, the widow of the deceased, Pretty Neewa-Sunday, expressed relief and contentment with the verdict, stating that “the judgment would assist in bringing closure to the family” and allow her late husband’s soul to find peace.
