After 10 years of legal battle, three persons have been sentenced to death over the death of a former Niger Delta agitator, Soboma George, and a groundnut seller, Joy John-Ejims.

The criminals – Dougbra Ogbe, Emmanuel Gladstone, and Bere Matthew – were convicted on three counts bordering on conspiracy and murder of George and John-Ejims in 2010.

Justice George Omereji of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt in the judgement that lasted for over two hours directed that the convicts be tied on their neck till they are confirmed dead.

He held that the prosecution was able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubts, especially with the evidence of an eyewitness, Emmanuel Eniete, who was hit by a stray bullet during the attack that led to the death of George.

The trial judge noted that evidence and testimonies of the witness had proven that the defendants actually committed the crime as charged.

Omereji noted the confessional statement that the convicts killed George because he wanted to kill them for refusing to assassinate the former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, and then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State further indicted them.

However, the prosecution counsel, Ipalibo Karibo-Botoye, after the proceeding, expressed happiness that ten years of prosecution, justice had come to stay.

He commended the court for giving George and John-Ejims justice, noting that he was ready to defend his case further at the appeal court.

Karibo-Botoye,

“We are happy that ten years after the murder of George justice has come to stay. It is a thing of joy that the court saw that we proved our case.

“If they go on appeal we are ready to defend this case to logical conclusion. This is justice for the family.”