The High Court of Ekiti State, under the esteemed Justice A.L. Ogunmoye, has sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for their involvement in a high-profile kidnapping case.
The convicted are Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola, and Ogunlayi Seun. Each was found guilty of kidnapping, while also receiving a concurrent five-year sentence for conspiracy.
The offences were committed by the convicts on the 14th day of September, 2017 at lkere – Ekiti where one Madam Florence Popoola, an aged woman of 75 years was kidnapped in her house and was kept in the forest between Eyio and Awo-Ekiti for four days until she was eventually released after the payment of N1.5 million ransom.
The four convicts were arrested and charged to Court with the offences of Conspiracy,Armed Robbery contrary to Section 6(b) &1(2) (a)of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Kidnapping and Conspiracy to Kidnap contrary to Sections 3 & 4 of the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition)Law,2015.
The learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare,who prosecuted the case for Ekiti State called four witnesses and tendered 8 Exhibits to prove his case.
The convicts, who were represented by their counsel, Chris Omokhafe and Sunday Ochai gave evidence in their defence and did not call any other witnesses.
The Honourable Court, after thoroughly evaluating the evidence delivered judgement and held that the prosecution proved the offences of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping against the 1st -4th defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The Hon.Judge consequently convicted four out of the five defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment.