Imo Court Sentences POS Operator to Death by Hanging for Murder of 83-Year-Old Man, Driver
An Imo State High Court sitting in Urualla, Orlu Judicial Division, has sentenced 28-year-old POS operator Isaac Okorie to death by hanging for his involvement in the murder of 83-year-old Chief Alexander Chukwuma Okoli and his driver, Daniel Sarki.
Justice Matthew Ijezie, in his Tuesday judgment, convicted Okorie on six counts bordering on armed robbery, hostage-taking and murder, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge recalled that on October 14, 2023, Okorie allegedly conspired with armed gang members to abduct the two victims at Isiekenesi, Ideato South LGA, and steal Okoli’s gold-coloured Toyota Corolla.
The gang reportedly demanded N100 million in ransom from the victims’ family, which eventually paid N2.515 million. However, the victims were killed, and photographs of their lifeless bodies were sent to the family. Their remains have yet to be recovered.
Police investigations established that Okorie’s role was to receive ransom payments from victims’ families.
After the conviction, Okorie pleaded for mercy during allocutus, but the court sentenced him to death by hanging.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Housewife, Accomplice for Allegedly Faking Kidnapping in Lagos
Speaking after the judgment, prosecution counsel Ikenna Obi described the ruling as significant, saying it would provide some relief to the victims’ family and deter criminal activities.
Amanda, the daughter of one of the victims, also expressed relief, although she lamented that the bodies remained missing. She expressed hope that other suspects still at large would be arrested and prosecuted.
