A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, presided over by Justice Nsemeke Daniel, has sentenced Corporal Mbazigwe Chinedu and bus conductor Isaac Eddy Ndeesor to death by hanging for the kidnapping of Elder Akara Johnson Mendie, a school principal at Community Secondary School, Nkek, Ukanafun LGA.
The victim was abducted on 5 July 2015, around 3:30 pm, while returning from church with his wife and family along Urua Akpan Udosen/Ikot Una road. Justice Daniel reported that four armed men in a Toyota Camry blocked their vehicle, forcefully took Elder Mendie, and fled with him, also seizing his wife’s handbag containing vital documents, including a will, Power of Attorney, glasses, and a mobile phone.
During the ordeal, the kidnappers claimed one of Mendie’s brothers had paid them N50 million to kill him, offering to spare his life if he produced N25 million. After several days in captivity, negotiations were held, and a ransom of N200,000 was paid on 10 July 2015 through the victim’s younger sister, leading to his release in Bori, Rivers State. The police then facilitated his return to Ukanafun.
Testimonies revealed that the sister, negotiating from Bayelsa, was repeatedly redirected to different drop-off points for the ransom, including Bayelsa, Rumuokoro, a trailer park in Ogoni, and a roundabout in Ikwerre, before masked men on a motorcycle finally collected it.
The court also heard that Corporal Chinedu, a police officer since January 2007, admitted driving the Camry to block the victim’s car, assisting in the abduction with Felix and Ndeesor, before switching vehicles to continue transporting Mendie to a bush in Ogoni, Rivers State.
Delivering judgment, Justice Daniel condemned the prolonged trial, noting the case, filed in 2016, concluded in 2026. He dismissed the first defendant’s claims of being framed, describing the explanations as inconsistent. The judge condemned the abuse of authority, stating:
“How can a police officer lead a gang to abduct a man returning from church with his wife and family? You shall be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on you.”
