Man Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Murder
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced one Charles Baridolee to death by hanging for the murder of Gerald Tekena in the Bodo community, Gokana Local Government Area of the state.
Baridolee was found guilty of killing Tekena in 2024 after inflicting multiple machete cuts on him during a quarrel.
According to court records, the tragic incident occurred after Baridolee warned Tekena to stop giving money to his family, claiming their respect for him had diminished because of the financial support Tekena was offering them. When Tekena ignored the warning, Baridolee reportedly attacked him with a machete, resulting in his death.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Augusta Chukwu ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court relied on substantial evidence, including eyewitness testimony and the confessional statement of the accused, to establish his guilt.
Justice Chukwu declared that Baridolee’s actions were “willful and premeditated,” noting that the crime violated Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Rivers State, which prescribes the death penalty for murder.
The judge subsequently sentenced Baridolee to death by hanging, bringing an end to the protracted trial that had been ongoing since 2024.
The judgment serves as a stern warning against violent crimes in the state, as the court reaffirmed its commitment to upholding justice and protecting the sanctity of human life.
