A Benin High Court has sentenced to death by hanging a housewife and her pastor for the murder of a senior staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Company NNPC, Benin city, Engineer Victor Gabriel Isonguyo.
The woman, Eniobong Isonguyo was the wife of the deceased before his death while the second convict, Pastor Udoka Ukachukwu was the head of her church.
The court presided over by Hon. Justice Imadegbelo heard that the deceased was killed by a sharp object in his car and set ablaze by the pastor as part of the agreement between him and deceased wife who was then pregnant for the pastor.
The court was also told by police prosecutor how Mrs Isinguyo transferred some millions of naira and landed properties belonging to the deceased to the said pastor after they had consummated their relationship.
A team of state counsel also told the court that the convicts murdered Engineer Victor Gabriel Isonguyo in order to cover up the pregnancy after the deceased who had been away on official assignment during which his wife got pregnant became curious and wanted full disclosure by his wife.
The court was told that after the pastor and the wife of the deceased hatched the plan to kill Mr Isonguyo, the woman told the pastor to wait on the route her husband usually took to work and stop him for a ride. The plan paid off as the man eventually stopped and gave the pastor a ride along Sapele road in Benin City. That act of kindness proved fatal for Mr Isonguyo as his enemies had an easy ride with their evilly plane
During the journey, the said pastor then brought out a sharp object and smashed it on Mr Isonguyo’s neck before opening the car’s petrol tank where he sipped out fuel which he sprayed on the car and set it ablaze with the unconscious Isonguyo inside. He was burnt beyond recognition. Police autopsy later revealed the cause of death.
Satisfied with the evidence adduced, the high court judge then sentenced the two persons to death. They are to die by hanging. The woman who was four months pregnant then later gave birth during her detention in Benin prison.
Reported by Festus Alenkhe
