Three persons have been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a Paramount ruler in a community in Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State.
The culprits were said to have invaded the palace of King S.O. Worgu, in October 2001 and slaughtered him.
The principal state counsel from the ministry of justice, Chidi Eke, told journalists that the three defendants were convicted because they confessed to the crime, giving detail account of how they planned and executed the murder, which corroborated evidence presented by prosecution witness.
He said six others were discharged on the ground that the evidence against them was based on hearsay and suspicion.
Counsel to the defendants, Bruno Beke promised to appeal the judgement .
