An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday, sentenced to death a house wife and her pastor for the murder of a senior staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Engineer Victor Gabriel Isonguyo.
The woman, Eniobong Isonguyo was the wife of the deceased before his death while the second convict, Pastor Udoka Ukachukwu was the head of their church.
Late Engr. Isonguyo was killed in 2013 and set ablaze while his body was found some days after.
Pastor Ukachukwu who was having an affair with late Isonguyo wife was arrested when the vehicle of the deceased was tracked to him.
He could not explain how he got burnt injuries in his hands.
The court presided over by Justice G. Imadegbelo heard that the deceased was killed with a sharp object in his car by the said pastor and set ablaze in the car in conspiracy with his wife who was then pregnant for the pastor.
The court was also told by police prosecutor how some millions of naira and landed properties belonging to the deceased were traced to the said pastor.
Witnesses testified that the murder of late Engr. Isonguyo was carried out by the convicts in order to cover up the pregnancy accusation by the deceased who insisted on knowing how his wife became pregnant while he was away.
The court also heard how the pastor was told by the woman to wait on the route of her husband to work and stop him for a ride.
The plan paid off as the man eventually stopped and gave the pastor a ride along Sapele road in Benin City.
During the ride, the said pastor then brought out a sharp object and smashed him on his neck before opening the petrol tank where he sipped out fuel and burnt him beyond recognition. Police autopsy later revealed the cause of death.
Delivering judgement, Justice Imadegbelo sentenced the two persons to death by hanging.
Eniobong who was four months pregnant at the time of the incident was said to have given birth at the Benin prison.
