Housewife, lover sentenced to death

A High Court in Benin has sentenced a housewife and her lover to death for the murder of a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Benin, Engr. Victor Gabriel Isonguyo. The woman, Eniobong Isonguyo, was the wife of the deceased while the second convict, Udoka Ukachukwu, was the head of their church. During the […]

A High Court in Benin has sentenced a housewife and her lover to death for the murder of a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Benin, Engr. Victor Gabriel Isonguyo.

The woman, Eniobong Isonguyo, was the wife of the deceased while the second convict, Udoka Ukachukwu, was the head of their church.

During the trial, the prosecuting counsel told the court that the murder was carried out by the convicts so as to cover up the pregnancy accusation by the deceased.

“The deceased’s wife told the pastor to wait on the route of her husband to work and ask him for a ride. The plan paid off as the man eventually stopped and gave the pastor a ride along Sapele Road, Benin. During the journey, the said pastor brought out a sharp object and hit him (the deceased) on his neck before opening the petrol tank, sipped out fuel and burnt him beyond recognition,” the court was told.

It was established that millions of naira and landed property belonging to the deceased were transferred to the said pastor by the wife.

The prosecuting counsel further said the woman who was four months pregnant at the time of the incident, later gave birth in Benin prison.

Delivering judgment, the judge, Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo, held that the prosecution was able to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the two to death by hanging.