Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-01 15:43:50
A South African national, Joachim Ugochukwu Onyeako, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for kidnapping a Zimbabwean national with the intention to procure a ransom. The sentencing was carried out by a panel of three Court of Appeal justices, namely deputy chief justice Richard Buteera, Christopher Gashirabake, and Oscar Kihiika. The justices concluded that the offense to kidnap Ross Robert James was meticulously planned and well-executed in Uganda by an international criminal group that included Onyeako.
According to court documents, the victim received an email on July 21, 2013, offering an investment opportunity to assist Luciana Ford in relocating her family fortune of $20 million from Zimbabwe to Australia. Subsequent communications led to the victim exchanging telephone contacts with the author of the email, identified as Michael Oweni, who claimed to be Ford’s attorney. Oweni then invited the victim to Uganda to finalize the deal with Ford, citing safety concerns in Zimbabwe.
Upon arriving at Entebbe airport, the victim was met by David Onyedeke, who instead transported him to a homestead in Seguku, where Onyeako and Sam Iyke ordered the victim to comply with their demands. The victim was presented with a file indicating that he was held hostage and requested a ransom of €650,000 to secure his release. Despite managing to obtain €10,000, the victim was later rescued by the police, and the perpetrators were arrested and charged with kidnapping offenses.
During the trial, Onyeako attempted to enter a plea bargain but failed, leading to a full trial where he was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Onyeako appealed to the Court of Appeal, alleging irregularities in the trial process. The justices in Kampala found the original sentences to be illegal and imposed new punishments to deter criminals involved in sophisticated crimes.
The justices highlighted the elaborate nature of the crime orchestrated by Onyeako and his accomplices, which involved significant travel costs and logistical arrangements in Uganda. They emphasized the negative impact of such crimes on Uganda’s reputation as a safe destination, particularly in the tourism sector. As a result, Onyeako was sentenced to 30 years in prison for count one and 10 years for count two, with deductions for time spent on remand. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively from the date of conviction.
In conclusion, the case of Joachim Ugochukwu Onyeako serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in kidnapping and ransom-related crimes. The Court of Appeal’s decision to impose harsh sentences reflects their commitment to upholding the rule of law and deterring individuals involved in sophisticated criminal activities.
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