Rivers State High Court Convicts Man of Murder, Sentences Him to Death by Hanging
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced Charles Baridolee to death by hanging for the murder of Gerald Tekena in 2024.
Baridolee was arraigned for the unlawful killing of Tekena in Bodo community, Gokana Local Government Area, following a quarrel between the two men. Evidence before the court revealed that the convict inflicted multiple machete cuts on the deceased after warning him to desist from giving money to his family, which he claimed had diminished their respect for him. The attack ultimately led to Tekena’s death.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Augusta Chukwu held that the prosecution had proved the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt, relying on both the evidence tendered and the confessional statement of the convict.
The court accordingly sentenced Baridolee to death, ordering that “he be hanged by the neck until he is dead.”
Speaking after the judgment, Ordu Precious, Chief Prosecution Counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, described the decision as justice well served. He noted that the ruling had restored hope to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Meanwhile the defence counsel to the convict, Angus Chukwuka, commended the court for delivering what he termed a “well-considered judgment.” However, he disclosed that the defence would exercise its right of appeal, given the gravity of the sentence and the fact that the matter involves the life of the convict.
