Two sentenced to death by hanging for killing Rev Father in Benue

A Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Andover Kakaan has convicted and sentenced two persons to death by hanging for kidnapping and killing Reverend Father Alexander Adeiyi, former Vicar-General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese in Benue State.

Delivering judgement in the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police, the convicts, Suleiman Goma (30 years) and Haruna Idi (32 years) both of Orokam in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of the state, Justice Kakaan said that the prosecution which called eight witnesses has proved its case beyond all reasonable doubts against the convicts to warrant their conviction.

Justice Kakaan stated that the evidence before him proved that the convicts conspired and kidnapped Reverend Father Adeiyi, and took him to Okungaga forest in Okpokwu where they demanded N2 million and eventually killed him after collecting the ransom of N1.5 million.


The trial Judge said three guns made up of two pistols and a Dane guns, as well as charms, were recovered from the convicts in the forest where they killed the Rev. Father.

Justice Kakaan disclosed that the first convict, Suleiman Goma in his extrajudicial statement which was tendered in court admitted that he bought the pistol for the purpose of committing armed robbery and kidnapping.

Justice Kakaan advised the youth in the state to desist from criminal act but engage themselves in useful ventures instead of looking for quick money as those who engage in such acts will face the wrath of the law.

It will be recalled that on the 26th of April 2016, between Otukpo and Okpokwu road, Reverend Father John Alexander Adeyi was kidnapped and taken to a forest where ransom was demanded before he was killed and his corpse dumped in a forest.

New Telegraph