Two men have been sentenced to death by an Ebonyi State High Court for kidnapping a two-year-old boy, Benjamin, who is yet to be found since August 2020.

Kelechi Iloke and Ikpere Kingsley were convicted by Justice Chinyere Ken-Eze in Charge No. HAB/FC50C/2021 for offences contrary to Section 4(1)(a) and punishable under Section 4(2) of the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Other Related Matters Law, 2009.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through confessional statements and eyewitness accounts.

The incident occurred on August 23, 2020, at Ndufu Amuzu Ezza, Ezza South Local Government Area.

Iloke, the victim’s landlord’s son, allegedly lured Benjamin and his sister with biscuits. When the girl returned home, Benjamin stayed back with Iloke.

The sisters searched Iloke’s residence but found neither him nor the boy. The family reported the case, leading to his arrest.

Iloke confessed to handing the child to Kingsley, who also confessed to selling Benjamin to a man known as “OG” for N500,000. He received N150,000 as part payment.

The boy has not been seen since.

Prosecuting counsel, Ijeoma Ajanwachukwu, said the conviction was based on confessions and testimonies of the victim’s sisters.

“The sisters narrated how the first defendant visited their home three times before taking the children to buy biscuits. After buying the biscuits, little Benjamin refused to follow his sister home and was left in the custody of the first defendant. Benjamin has not been found till date despite all efforts to locate him,” Ajanwachukwu stated.

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