A High Court 1 sitting in Kogi State on Tuesday, March 23, sentenced one Ocholi Edicha to 12 years and 6 months in prison for the gruesome murder of Mrs Salome Abuh, during the 2019 Governorship election.
Mrs Abuh, the women leader of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ochadamu, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was shot and set ablaze at her residence on November 18, 2019.
Edicha was arraigned on the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.
However, the prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General’s office, Barr. Otigbe Joseph has vowed to challenge the ruling, describing it as a surprise and not enough punishment for the offenses committed which bothered on killing.
The prosecutor during trial called five witnesses. The court agreed with oral testimony and eye witness account alongside statement made to the Nigeria police and held it to be sufficient to secure the conviction of the defendant.
The defendant denied making statement to the Nigeria police but was quick to challenge and accept some aspect of the statement.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Ajayi convicted the suspect for culpable homicide not punishable with death, and sentenced him to 12 years and 6 months imprisonment for the offences.
