Supreme Court Confirms Death Sentence for Kidnapper

The Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed the death sentence by hanging for Chelynor Halim, a convict in a kidnapping case. The apex court delivered a unanimous judgment on the appeal on [date not specified], dismissing Halim's challenge against the Court of Appeal's decision, which had previously upheld the death sentence handed down by the Delta State High Court in 2017.

The trial court established evidence of Halim's involvement in the armed robbery and kidnapping of Joan Osemen on February 9, 2014, in Ibusa, Delta State. During the trial, Osemen testified that Halim and his accomplices assaulted her, threatened her with a gun, and seized her ATM card and cash.

After being abandoned by the gang, Osemen managed to escape and alerted a motorcyclist, leading to Halim's apprehension. The Supreme Court, led by Justice Chioma Nwosu-Ihem, concluded that the evidence presented during the trial confirmed Halim's identity as a gang member involved in the crime.