JOMBO-OFO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment):This is a criminal appeal against the decision of the High Court of Bayelsa State (hereinafter to be referred to as the trial/lower court),presided over by Hon. Justice M. A. Ayemieye, J. in charge No.OHC/5c/2014, delivered 21st September, 2016, wherein his lordship convicted the accused/appellant and sentenced him to a concurrent term of 10 (ten) years imprisonment.
Brief Statement of Facts
By an information filed on 21st March, 2014, the appellant was arraigned alongside his co-accused before the lower court on a 2 count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping contrary to sections 444(a) and 291 respectively of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C14 Laws of Bayelsa State, 2006, of one Mrs. Betinah Friday Benson at Korokorosei town of Bayelsa State. The accused/appellant pleaded not guilty to the 2-count charge.
Trial commenced in the course of which the prosecution/respondent called 2 (two) witnesses to wit: the PW1 (Investigation Police Officer…