Rivers Court Sentences Trio to Death by Hanging for Pharmacist's Murder
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing three individuals to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a pharmacist in 2019. The court, presided over by Justice Augusta Chukwu, also handed down a life imprisonment sentence to a fourth defendant for involvement in a secret cult group linked to the crime.
Details of the Conviction and Sentencing
The convicts sentenced to death are Confidence Kirinee, popularly known as General Ilia, Precious Mona, and Soniabari Sagha. They were found guilty of conspiracy, cultism, kidnapping, and the murder of pharmacist Muenalo Sunday from Zaakpo community in Khana Local Government Area. The incident occurred on March 5, 2019.
Justice Chukwu convicted Loveday Legah to life imprisonment for belonging to the Iceland secret cult, whose activities directly led to the pharmacist's murder. In her judgment, she stated that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against all defendants based on confessional statements and substantial evidence presented in court.
Gruesome Details of the Crime
The court revealed that the convicted individuals, all members of the Iceland secret cult, conspired to kidnap and murder their victim. After killing him, they severed his head and other sensitive organs, disposing of his remains in a pit. The head was reportedly taken to their shrine located in a bush within a neighboring community.
Justice Chukwu ruled that while Loveday Legah should spend his entire life in prison, the three main perpetrators—Confidence Kirinee, Precious Mona, and Soniabari Sagha—should be hanged by the neck until confirmed dead. The counsel for the convicts declined to comment on the judgment following the court's decision.
Reactions from Prosecution and Victim's Family
The prosecution counsel, Chief State Counsel Precious Ordu of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, commended Justice Chukwu for her thorough work. He described the judgment as proof of justice for both the deceased and the living, emphasizing that it restores hope in the judiciary.
"The judgment today is a good one. We commend the judge for a thorough job. It has been a hectic process from when we started till date," Ordu stated. "We really thank God that the matter has come to an end. We have done our part, and today the judge in her wisdom has convicted the four defendants for conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, and cultism."
Ordu added that the verdict would bring solace to the victim's family, particularly the widow, who had feared she might not receive justice. "It will restore hope to my client, who before now thought she would not get justice from the judiciary. Today I'm sure she is happy, and even the deceased is also happy that justice has been secured on his behalf, notwithstanding that he was brutally killed. He will also rest wherever he is today."
Widow's Emotional Response
The widow of the late pharmacist, Pretty Neewa-Sunday, expressed both happiness and sorrow over the judgment. She stated that the verdict would allow her husband's soul to rest in peace but highlighted her personal struggles, including living with sickle cell disease.
"They have reaped what they sowed because they killed my husband who did not commit any offence," she said. "My pain is that I have sickle cell disease, and only my husband knew how to care for me. Today I have become a widow that neither my husband nor I planned for."
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by the Rivers State judiciary to address violent crimes and cult-related activities, delivering justice in a high-profile murder that has drawn significant public attention.
