The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence by hanging handed to a convicted Delta-based kidnapper, Chelynor Halim, bringing an end to a long legal battle over a brutal abduction and robbery case.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court dismissed Halim’s appeal, declaring it lacking in merit and upholding the earlier decisions of lower courts.
The convict had earlier been found guilty by a High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, in 2017 after evidence implicated him of armed robbery and kidnapping.
Court records showed that Halim and members of his gang abducted one Joan Osemene on February 9, 2014, before taking her to an unknown location in Ibusa, Delta State.
During the attack, the victim was reportedly assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being overpowered by the gang.
According to evidence presented before the court, Halim allegedly slapped the victim and covered her nose with a substance-soaked cloth that caused her to lose consciousness.
The gang leader, identified as Edozie Obude, was also accused of violently attacking the victim while ordering other gang members to search her thoroughly.
The victim later told the court that the kidnappers collected her ATM card and N10,000 cash before withdrawing an additional N55,000 from her bank account.
After tying her hands and legs, the gang reportedly abandoned her at another location.
In a dramatic twist, the victim managed to free herself and escaped to a nearby road, where she flagged down a motorcyclist for help — only to discover that the rider was one of her attackers.
She immediately raised an alarm, leading to the suspect’s arrest by passersby before he could escape.
The convict was later handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), where investigations reportedly led operatives to the gang’s hideout.
A gun battle later broke out during the operation, resulting in the death of the gang leader, Obude.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme held that there was overwhelming evidence proving Halim’s involvement in the crime and confirming his identity as a member of the kidnapping gang.
The apex court subsequently dismissed the appeal marked SC/CR/913/2022 and affirmed the sentence of death by hanging.
The judgment comes at a time of serious concern over rising cases of kidnapping across Nigeria, including recent abductions involving pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
