EFE & 6 ORS.
V.
THE STATE

BELLO, J.S.C (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The seven appellants were convicted on a charge of murder of Ejoor Owah and were sentenced to death on 12th June, 1975, in the High Court, Ughelli. We dismissed their appeal and affirmed their convictions and sentences on 23rd September, 1976. We now state our reasons.

The facts of the case found by the trial Judge are as follows: On 26th June, 1973, between 3.00 to 4.00 p.m., Ejoor Owah, a child aged 9 years, in company of his senior brother (P.W.4) and his two senior sisters (P.W.5) and (P.W.6) went to the bush to hunt for frogs. While returning home, the children were waylaid by the 1st, 2nd 3rd, 4th and 7th appellants who conjointly emerged from the bush onto Ikpe-Idheze road. The 7th appellant, who was holding a gun, suddenly seized and carried him away into the bush while the child was crying. Each of the 1st, 2nd and 4th appellants was armed with a matchet and the 3rd appellant had a long dane gun. When Ejoor's brother and sisters…