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The suspects identified as Augustin Akpojivi, Dawel James and Collins Enye, were also found guilty of three other counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, demanding property with menace and stealing.

PM News reports that the court also sentenced the suspects to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour, while two oth‎er accused persons reportedly escaped the death sentence, having been discharged and acquitted by the court.

During the trial, the prosecutor revealed to the court that Dawel James, a driver by occupation, had conspired with Augustin Akpojivi (29), also a driver, and Collins Enye (23), a commercial motorcycle rider; and others who are reportedly, now at large, to kidnap his employer, Rufus Uzoma Allwell, who is a staff of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), while armed with guns, demanding a ransom of N2million before releasing their victim.

The court also heard that James who had been the driver to the kidnapped victim, had reportedly masterminded the kidnap of his employer, receiving part of the N2million ransom paid by the elder brother of the victim.

READ: Man kidnaps niece, demands N200k as ransom from parents

In reaction to the court judgement, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Peter Mrakpor, reportedly applauded the court verdict while expressing optimism that the judgement of the court will send a strong signal to criminally minded persons in the State.