GODWIN ONYEKACHI NWAOGWUGWU V. THE STATE

JAMES GAMBO ABUNDAGA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of High Court of Imo State delivered by Hon. Justice E. F. Njamanze in Suit No. HOW/151C/2012 on 29th September, 2017.

The judgment is predicated upon the trial of the Appellant and his Co-accused for the offence of Hostage taking contrary to Section 4 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Salient Law, No. 4 of 2009.

The particulars of the offence reads:

Godwin Onyekachi Nwaogwugwu and Chinedu Ndukwe on the 8th Day of March, 2012 at St. Charles Clinic, Ezeogba, Emekukwu in the Owerri Judicial Division while armed with guns did abduct with intent to demand ransom take hostage, one Dr. Henry Ok. Dozie.

​The both of them pleaded not guilty. In the bid to prove the charge, the prosecution (now Respondent) called two witnesses and tendered the alleged Confessional Statements of the accused persons which were admitted in evidence. The accused persons each testified in their respec…