Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentence for Delta Kidnapper

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence by hanging handed to a convicted kidnapper from Delta State, Chelynor Halim, bringing to a close a lengthy legal battle over his involvement in a high-profile abduction case that dates back to February 2014. In a unanimous ruling delivered on Friday, June 5, 2026, a five-member panel of the apex court dismissed Halim’s appeal and upheld the judgment of the lower courts, ruling that the evidence against him was overwhelming and sufficient to sustain his conviction. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution successfully established the identity and participation of the appellant in the crimes, and that the evidence presented during trial clearly placed him at the scene and linked him directly to the kidnapping operation.

The case dates back to February 9, 2014, when Halim and his accomplices kidnapped Joan Osemene in the Ibusa area of Delta State. The victim was seized by the gang and taken to an unknown location, where she was subjected to a terrifying ordeal. According to court records, Halim slapped the victim, threatened her with a firearm, and later covered her nose with a cloth containing a substance that rendered her unconscious. The gang leader, identified as Edozie Obude, reportedly grabbed the victim by the throat, struck her neck with a metal object, and ordered that she be thoroughly searched. During the search, the gang dispossessed her of N10,000 in cash and her ATM card, which they later used to withdraw N55,000 from her bank account.

The victim testified that after the robbery, her hands and legs were tied and she was taken to another location where the gang abandoned her. In a dramatic turn of events, she eventually managed to free herself and escape. As she ran until she reached a major road, she flagged down a motorcyclist to help her move farther from the area. However, in an ironic twist, the motorcyclist turned out to be Chelynor Halim — one of her attackers. Upon recognizing him, she raised an alarm, prompting nearby bystanders to apprehend him before he could flee. He was subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation. During the probe, Halim reportedly provided information that led authorities to the gang’s hideout. A confrontation between security agents and the criminal group followed, resulting in the death of the gang leader, Edozie Obude, in a shootout. The second accused, Emeka Okeze, was arrested through information provided by Halim. Both men were subsequently tried and convicted.

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Halim was first convicted in 2017 by a High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, which held that the proof of evidence established his involvement in armed robbery and kidnapping. The presiding Judge, Justice Sylvester Okoh, found that the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault punishable under section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R. 11 Volume 14, Laws of the Federation 2014 and under section 3(1)(a) of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Law 2013. Their defense was dismissed, and they were accordingly found guilty and convicted. Following the 2017 conviction, Halim appealed the judgment. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, leading to a final appeal to the Supreme Court. On Friday, the apex court dismissed the appeal marked SC/CR/913/2022 for lacking merit and affirmed the sentence of death by hanging earlier imposed on the convict.

Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, who delivered the lead judgment, is a respected Justice of the Court of Appeal who herself survived a harrowing kidnapping ordeal in 2019. She was abducted in Benin City along with four others on October 30, 2019, and her police orderly of 12 years was fatally shot during the incident. She was held captive for 14 days before being released unharmed. Her kidnappers, who initially posed as uniformed policemen, reportedly treated her with respect after learning her identity from social media, calling her “Madam Justice” and acknowledging that she had “broken the internet.” The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had decried her non-release during the ordeal, calling it “disheartening and distressing.” Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome also issued an open letter pleading with her captors to release her “unhurt, unmolested and unhurt.”

The Supreme Court’s judgment comes at a time when concerns over kidnapping and violent crimes remain high across Nigeria. Security agencies have continued efforts to tackle criminal networks responsible for abductions in several parts of the country. The case of Chelynor Halim serves as a significant legal precedent, demonstrating the full weight of the law against convicted kidnappers and armed robbers in the nation’s judicial system.

Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentence for Delta Kidnapper

Ekiti LG Vice Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping

ADO-EKITI — The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Grace Ogunleye, has been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre following her arraignment before a Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges bordering on conspiracy and alleged self-kidnapping.

Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other defendants after an investigation by the Ekiti State Police Command into circumstances surrounding her reported abduction in May.

The defendants appeared before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, where the prosecution sought their remand pending further legal proceedings.

According to the prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, the police had concluded their preliminary investigation and forwarded the case file to the Ekiti State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. He subsequently urged the court to remand the accused persons while awaiting the DPP’s review and further directives.

Ruling on the application, Chief Magistrate Adeosun ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the next stage of the legal process.

The case has attracted significant public attention following the dramatic circumstances surrounding Ogunleye’s disappearance.

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The vice chairman was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly discovered abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road. Initial reports indicated that she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen shortly after leaving the Ilejemeje Local Government Secretariat.

The alleged abduction sparked concern among residents, political associates and security agencies, prompting an intensive search operation.

Days later, Ogunleye was rescued unharmed during a joint operation involving security personnel. At the time, authorities had not disclosed details of the circumstances leading to her recovery.

However, subsequent investigations by the police reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the kidnapping had been staged.

According to the Ekiti State Police Command, findings from the investigation indicated that the purported abduction was allegedly orchestrated to raise funds aimed at settling personal financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.

Speaking on the development, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the suspects were charged following what he described as a thorough investigation into the matter.

The police have yet to provide further details regarding the specific roles allegedly played by each of the defendants in the purported scheme.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, has condemned the alleged act, describing it as embarrassing and unacceptable.

Dada expressed concern over the potential impact of the incident on public confidence in government institutions and security agencies.

He warned that such actions, if proven, could undermine public trust and create unnecessary panic among citizens.

The council chairman also stressed that public office holders must be held accountable for their actions, insisting that no individual would be shielded from justice if found culpable.

The case has been adjourned pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further proceedings before the court.

The development continues to generate reactions across Ekiti State, with many residents calling for a thorough and transparent prosecution to ensure accountability and deter similar incidents in the future.

Ekiti LG Vice Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping