Delta Judiciary Delivers Tough Verdicts As Child Defiler Jailed, Armed Robbers Sentenced To Death
Delta Courts Deliver Major Judgments in Child Abuse & Violent Crime Cases
Judiciary Sends Strong Message Against Sexual Violence & Armed Crime
TWO separate judgments delivered by Delta State High Courts have underscored the judiciary’s resolve to impose stiff penalties for grave criminal offences, with a child sexual offender sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment and two convicted armed robbers condemned to death.
The rulings, delivered in Isiokolo and Effurun, involved offences ranging from the defilement of a minor to armed robbery and multiple murders, reflecting the state’s continued efforts to combat violent crime and protect vulnerable citizens through the criminal justice system.
Stepfather Sentenced to 20 Years for Defiling Four-Year-Old Child
In one of the cases, Justice O. Aforkeya of the High Court, Isiokolo Judicial Division, sentenced 54-year-old Samson Nagboje to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of his four-year-old stepdaughter.
According to the prosecution, led by Miss Phoebian Onomakpome, an Assistant Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, the offence occurred on 14 May 2020, at Eloh Compound in Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government Area.
The court heard that following the incident, the defendant was arrested by the police and arraigned on 8 June 2020. After the conclusion of trial proceedings, Justice Aforkeya convicted him on 19 June 2026 and imposed a 20-year custodial sentence.
The judgment represents another judicial response to offences involving sexual violence against children, reinforcing legal protections for minors under Delta State law.
Two Convicted Armed Robbers Sentenced to Death
In a separate judgment delivered at High Court 3, Effurun, Justice N. Obi sentenced Akpobor Erhianor and Tibra Cornelius to death after finding them guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
The case, filed as Charge No. EHC/19C/2023, involved four defendants accused of participating in a series of violent robberies and fatal attacks across Delta State between July and August 2022.
The prosecution established that the convicted men, together with accomplices still at large, carried out multiple armed robberies targeting vehicle dealers and private individuals while also committing several murders.
Evidence presented before the court showed that on 26 July 2022, the gang robbed car dealer Trust Dick at Okuokoko in Okpe Local Government Area, stealing a Toyota Camry and a Lexus Jeep.
The court further heard that on 13 August 2022, another car dealer, Damian Owuchigbo, was robbed at his vehicle stand along Old Airport Road in Effurun, where the gang carted away a Hyundai SUV, mobile phones and other valuables at gunpoint.
Series of Fatal Attacks Established During Trial
The prosecution also linked the defendants to several deadly attacks during the period under review.
Among the incidents established before the court were the killing of two vigilante operatives on patrol in Owhase Community on 10 August 2022; the murder of Godspower Moses on 23 August 2022, before his Mercedes-Benz GLK and other valuables were stolen; and the killing of Evans Whiskey Agbaire on 2 July 2022, followed by the theft of his Toyota Sienna bus.
The defendants were also connected to the attempted murder of Alfred Orioka and Hon. Festus Ovwata.
Mixed Verdicts for Other Defendants
While the second and third defendants received death sentences, the court reached different conclusions regarding the remaining accused persons.
The first defendant, Edafe Adu, entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution and was subsequently convicted for conspiracy and armed robbery.
Meanwhile, the fourth defendant, Oghenewegba Cadeton, who faced charges of belonging to an unlawful society, was discharged and acquitted after the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecution Commends Rule of Law
Both prosecutions were conducted by Miss Phoebian Onomakpome of the Delta State Ministry of Justice.
The judgments highlight the role of the courts in addressing serious criminal offences through due process while reinforcing public confidence in the administration of justice.
