Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Kidnapper

The Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a unanimous judgment on Friday, dismissing the appeal of Chelynor Halim, who was sentenced to death for the kidnapping of Joan Osemen on February 9, 2014. The court found that the prosecution proved Halim's involvement in the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Osemen was abducted by an armed gang and taken to a hideout in Ibusa, Delta State, where she was assaulted and threatened with a gun. During her captivity, the gang withdrew N55,000 from her account using her ATM card.

In a dramatic turn of events, Osemen managed to escape and flagged down a motorcyclist, who helped her alert authorities, leading to Halim's arrest. The Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly located the gang's hideout, resulting in a shootout that killed the gang leader, Edozi Obud.

Justice Chioma Nwosu Ihem presided over the case, affirming the death sentence imposed by the Asaba High Court.