By Our Reporter
The Delta State Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Oleh has sentenced Friday Meeting and Abednego Onoshoko, aka “Abobe”, both of Enhwe town in Isoko South Local Government Area, to 3 years in prison with hard labour recently with an option of fine of N50,000 each to be paid to Delta State Government together with the payment of N480, 000 for destroyed blocks over land dispute between them and Mr. Idisi Ewomazino.
The defendants were arraigned on a 4 count charge in suit No. MCO/67C/2024 bordering on Conspiracy, an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C21, Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006; Malicious damage of 1,600 blocks, an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21, Vol.1 Laws of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006; Breach of peace by entering a land which is in peaceable possession of Mr. Idisi Ewomazino, an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006 and Obstruction of justice, an offence punishable under Section 120(2) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Vol.1 of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006.
The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the four count change, and called three other witnesses other than themselves in proof of their case.
The defendants, Friday Meeting and Abednego Onoshoko were however sentenced on February 24, 2026 by a Court Presided over by Her Worship O.M Omonemu (Mrs).
At the end of the trial, Her Worship O. M Omonemu (Mrs) stated in her judgement that “from the totality of the evidence before me, the prosecution has been able to prove it’s case beyond reasonable doubt and are entitled to a conviction in count 1, count 11, count 111, and count 1V while finding the 1st and 2nd defendants guilty” .
However, Counsel to the defendants after the judgement urged the court to be lenient, upon which the Presiding Magistrate in her pronouncement however stated that the 1st and 2nd defendants being first time offenders pay to the complainant PW1 the sum of N480,000 for the destroyed blocks and N50,000 each to be paid as fines to the Delta State Government reasoning or to spend 3 years in prison with hard labour.
