The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence imposed on Delta-based kidnapper Chelynor Halim, dismissing his appeal and upholding the verdict of the lower courts.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and confirmed the conviction for kidnapping and armed robbery.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme held that the evidence presented during the trial clearly established Halim’s involvement in the crimes and placed him at the scene of the attack.
“There was no doubt about the appellant’s identity.”
The case stemmed from the abduction of Joan Osemene in Ibusa, Delta State, on February 9, 2014. Trial proceedings revealed that Osemene was kidnapped by a gang that assaulted her, stole her ATM card and cash, and later withdrew N55,000 from her bank account.
The victim eventually escaped and later encountered one of her attackers, whom she identified as Halim. Her alarm led to his arrest by members of the public before he was handed over to security operatives.
Investigations later led authorities to the gang’s hideout, where a confrontation resulted in the death of the group’s alleged leader, Edozie Obude.
By dismissing Appeal No. SC/CR/913/2022, the Supreme Court effectively upheld the death-by-hanging sentence earlier imposed by the trial court, bringing the long-running criminal case to a close.
