TUNDE OYEBANJI AWOTOYE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is the judgment in respect of the appeal lodged by the Appellant against the decision of Imo State High Court delivered on 23/3/2016. The Appellant was the 1st accused at the lower court in charge No. HON/75C/2011.
The Appellant was arraigned on a 5 count charge which read as follows:
COUNT I
That you CHIMEZIE ONUEKWUSI, IFEANYI ARIMAHA, CHINEDU OSUOHA, CHINMECHEFULAM ONWUSORONYE, NWADIUTO NWAGUMA, CHIMEZIE NJOKU and CATHERINE NWAKUMA on the 16th day of January, 2011 at Achi Mbieri, in the Mbaitoli Magisterial District, did conspire with one another to commit the offence of hostage taking, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences, Law No.4 of 2009.
COUNT II
That you CHIMEZIE ONUEKWUSI, IFEANYI ARIMAHA, CHINEDU OSUOHA, CHINMECHEFULAM ONWUSORONYE, NWADIUTO NWAGUMA, CHEMEZIE NJOKU and CATHERINE NWAKUMA on the same date and place, in the …