Members of Agbor Gha-Ihun and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Agbor, Ika south local government area of Delta State, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, secured the conviction and sentencing of three alleged thieves, Odafi Bright Favour (28), Adaye Yusuf 31) and Chibuzor Temple (34), to two years imprisonment.
The convicts were arraigned on four-count charges bordering on conspiracy, felony, burglary and stealing, after they were arrested on the 28th of August, 2020 in Agbor by the local security outfits and handed over to the police for investigation.
It could be recalled that the convicts had allegedly burgled two churches in Agbor and stole their musical equipments while an attempt was subsequently made by an indigene to secure bail for one of the convicts but failed after serious resistance.
The crime which the convicts had earlier pleaded guilty to, had the police commission in a suit charge No. Ma/203C/2020 before the Honourable Court, announced that the convicts conspired amongst themselves to commit offences punishable under the Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Vol. I law of Delta State 2006.
Having listened to the plea of the defense counsel, the Magistrate, His worship, Anene Esq., out of his leniency, sentenced them to two separate years of imprisonment for the charges which are to run concurrently without an option of fine.
The judgment however, threw the security groups led by their Chairman who doubled as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Security Matters, Comr. Monday Kiyem, into wild jubilations as they proclaimed that Justice have been served.
Speaking to newsmen, the counsel to the security group and Principal, Kalis & Kalis Law firm, Barr. Kaliku Ikenchuku Esq., expressed joy over the judgment of the Magistrate, saying that he was optimistic of him to always do the right thing at all times.
The renowned legal luminary explained that such incident has been occuring in the community where people comes from different places to perpetrate all manners of criminality, adding that time came when a sociocultural group named Onu-Ika felt that there was need to assist the local security groups, which according to him has been doing tremendous job in arresting criminals in Agbor and it’s environs, to see that Justice prevails.
“As soon as I got involved in this matter, I rallied round together with my partners among whom was Barr. Christopher Ezewali that played major role and witnesses, including all members of my law firm who were in court to show the importance that was attached to this particularly proceedings,” he added.
Speaking further, Barr. Kaliku thanked Onu-Ika for redeeming him to prosecute all criminal matters within the jurisdiction and in the same vein commended the security groups for their good jobs.
He assured continuous discharge of his duty while they strive to end all acts and forms or criminalities in Ika nation.
A representative of St. John Anglican Cathedral Communion,Agbor which was amongst the burgled churches, Mr. Patrick Egbonim, also said he was glad over the sentence, re-echoing that the judgment would serve as deterrent to others with the intention of making the community unsafe for the public.
He lauded the effort of Agbor Gha-Ihun, saying that they are living up to expectations.
