Death Sentence for Notorious Sea Pirate in Akwa Ibom State

A 30-year-old man, Joshua Okon Archibong, also known as 'Benji Kasiah,' has been sentenced to death by hanging for his involvement in a series of violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping. The convicted sea pirate, who is a primary school dropout, had confessed to participating in several attacks, including the murder of a police officer and the kidnapping of two individuals, for whom a ransom of N200,000 was collected in December 2018. The court relied on the confessional statements to convict Archibong, finding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Key Takeaways:

• Joshua Okon Archibong, a 30-year-old primary school dropout, has been sentenced to death by hanging for his involvement in murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
• Archibong, also known as 'Benji Kasiah,' was a member of a notorious gang of sea pirates operating in Uruan and Oron local government areas.
• He was involved in a series of violent crimes, including the murder of a police officer, the kidnapping of two individuals, and the collection of a ransom of N200,000 in December 2018.
• Archibong confessed to participating in several attacks, including the murder of a police officer and the kidnapping of two individuals.
• He also disclosed that he sought spiritual protection from a native doctor in Oku Iboku, Itu local government area, to evade police arrest.
• The court relied on the confessional statements to convict Archibong, finding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Statistics:

• N200,000: The ransom collected for the kidnapping of two individuals in December 2018.
• 4: The number of counts Archibong was charged with, including conspiracy and armed robbery.
• One: The number of police officer killed by Archibong.
• Ndon Ebom village: The location where Archibong was arrested while committing a robbery.
• 30: The age of Joshua Okon Archibong.

Sources:

• "30-Year-Old Sea Pirate Sentenced to Death by Hanging in Akwa Ibom State." Punch, November 5, 2022.
• "Notorious Sea Pirate Sentenced to Death in Akwa Ibom." Vanguard, November 6, 2022.