It is all over for a Delta-based kidnapper whose victims included a woman he slapped, drugged, and robbed after a terrifying ordeal.

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Chelynor Halim, dismissing his final appeal in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel of the apex court.

The ruling means Halim will now face execution by hanging unless a last-minute mercy plea succeeds.

How It All Happened – The Shocking Crime

The case goes back to February 9, 2014 – over a decade ago.

Halim and his gang kidnapped a woman identified as Joan Osemene and took her to a location in Ibusa, Delta State.

What followed was pure terror.

According to court documents:

· Halim slapped the victim and threatened her with a gun
· He rendered her unconscious using a cloth soaked in an unknown substance
· Gang leader Edozie Obude grabbed her by the throat and struck her neck with a metal object
· The gang seized her ATM card and N10,000 cash
· They later withdrew an additional N55,000 from her account
· Her hands and legs were tied before she was dumped at another location

Miraculously, she freed herself and escaped to a main road.

The Twist of a Lifetime – Her Rescuer Was Her Kidnapper

Here is where the story takes a shocking turn.

The victim flagged down a motorcyclist (okada rider) for help. But as she got closer, she recognized him – it was Halim himself, one of her attackers.

 

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She immediately raised the alarm. Bystanders swarmed Halim and apprehended him before he could flee.

He was handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) and later led operatives to the gang’s hideout. A shootout ensued, and gang leader Obude was killed.

Court Ruling: No Mercy

A Delta State High Court in Asaba convicted Halim in 2017 for armed robbery and kidnapping. He was sentenced to death.

He appealed. He lost.

He appealed again. He lost again.

Finally, the Supreme Court put an end to his legal battles.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, the apex court found no basis to disturb the lower court’s findings.

The court affirmed that the evidence clearly established Halim’s presence and participation in the crime.

Public Reaction – Nigerians Speak

As news of the Supreme Court ruling broke, Nigerians took to social media to react.

Many praised the court for upholding the death penalty, while others questioned why it took over a decade to reach a final verdict.

One social media user wrote: “He kidnapped someone, the victim escaped, and the okada she boarded was him! That is divine intervention. Let him face the law.”

Another commented: “N55,000 and a death sentence? These criminals need to understand that crime does not pay.”

Kidnapping Crisis in Nigeria – A Bigger Picture

The ruling comes amid renewed public concern over kidnappings across Nigeria.

Just recently:

· 42 pupils were abducted from schools in Borno State’s Askira Uba and Chibok local government areas
· 40 pupils were abducted from schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area

Efforts to secure the release of all abducted children remain ongoing.

 

What you should know.

For Chelynor Halim, the legal journey is over. The Supreme Court has spoken.

But for many Nigerians, the bigger question remains: Will death sentences like this ever be carried out? Or will Halim sit on death row for years, like so many others before him?

Nigeria has hundreds of inmates on death row, but executions are rarely carried out. The last major execution happened in 2016 when three men were hanged for armed robbery in Edo State.

Will Halim finally face the noose? Only time will tell.

What do you think?

Should the government start executing death row inmates to serve as a deterrent to kidnappers? Or should life imprisonment be the maximum penalty? Drop your opinion in the comments below. Let’s gist!