CHINEDU ELEGALAM V. THE STATE

ANDENYANGTSO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On the 3rd day of August, 2017, Hon. Justice A. U. Kalu, J, presiding over the Isuikwuato Judicial Division of the Abia State High Court, gave judgment in which he convicted and sentenced the appellant, Chinedu Elegalam and one other, to death for the offence of kidnapping under section 3(a) of the Abia State Prohibition of Terrorism, Kidnapping, Hostage taking, etc., Law No. 10 of 2009.

Piqued by this decision, the appellant who was the 2nd accused at the lower court has appealed to this court vide a notice of appeal containing 9 grounds of appeal dated 30/10/17 and filed 31/10/17 but deemed properly filed and served on 3rd October, 2018. (See pages 58 - 62 of the record) which original record of appeal was transmitted to this court on 1/6/18, while the supplementary record was transmitted on 11/6/19.

Before I continue, I think it is appropriate to comment on the notice of appeal filed in respect of Ifeanyi Abanobi, the 1st accuse…