Bayelsa Ruling: Four Face Death for Kidnapping Crimes
On January 29, 2025, the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for conspiracy and kidnapping. The convicted persons are Manager Etonzor, Daniel Derietiedei, Inimotimi Rufus, and Tari Firstman.
The prosecution detailed that the convicts, led by Etonzor, attempted to abduct the owner of November Dredging Company at Ayama Ijaw in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
When this failed, they kidnapped a 28-year-old secretary of the company, seizing ₦400,000 from the company’s safe and subsequently demanding a ₦6.5 million ransom for her release. The victim was held captive for over a month before the ransom was paid.
Following diligent investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping squad of the Bayelsa State Police Command, the suspects were apprehended.
Despite their claims of coerced confessions, the court admitted their statements and found them guilty under Section 2(1) of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law of 2013. Justice Patience Diri subsequently sentenced them to death by hanging.