Sampson Ogochukwu Appeals for Help After Death Sentence

Sampson Ogochukwu, originally from Ebonyi State in Nigeria’s southeastern region and now living in Lagos, has sought assistance following a death sentence by hanging imposed by the Lagos State High Court for a crime he claims he did not commit.

In a video shared by SaharaReporters, Ogochukwu detailed his experience, stating he was accused of orchestrating a robbery while working as a security guard in Lekki, Lagos.

He explained that he was arrested in 2017 after his friend, Chuks Viviana Okonkwo from Imo State, who had helped him find the guard job, betrayed him.

Ogochukwu recounted, “I was in Onitsha when my friend encouraged me to move to Lagos for better job prospects because I was struggling in Anambra.”

“I moved to Lagos in 2017, and he helped me find work in Lekki Phase 1 as a security guard.”

Sadly, Ogochukwu’s so-called friend conspired with four others, overpowering him at work, binding him, and forcing him to lead them to his employer for a robbery.

“I was unaware of their malicious intent. They approached me, overpowered me, tied me up, and made me take them to my employer,” he stated.

“Once at my job, they robbed my employer and took away his car and valuables.”

Following the robbery, the culprits stuffed Ogochukwu into the trunk of their stolen car and fled. They eventually released him, giving him N100,000 and instructing him to leave Lagos for the South-East.

Despite their warnings, he chose to return to explain the situation to his employer, only to be arrested and falsely accused of masterminding the robbery.

“After they released me, I returned to my employer to explain. But upon arrival, I was arrested, and the police were called.”

“Even after explaining to the police, they accused me of lying, insisting I was part of the robbery planning. Since 2017, I’ve been in prison,” he recounted.

Ogochukwu added, “I lack support; I didn’t even have legal representation in court. Eventually, the police apprehended the actual robbers.”

“They testified that I was innocent and had no involvement, but the police refused to believe them,” he continued.

“The robbers acquired legal help, and we have been in court since 2017. On October 31, 2024, the court cleared the other four and condemned me to death by hanging, claiming I was responsible for bringing them to rob.”

Desperate for assistance and a legal appeal, Ogochukwu pleaded, “I appeal to fellow Igbos for help. I need a lawyer to take my case. I am completely innocent of these charges.”

SaharaReporters attempted to contact two phone numbers provided in the video for further connection with Ogochukwu, but both numbers were unreachable.