Ekiti court sentences four to life imprisonment for kidnapping

On Monday, the High Court of Ekiti State, under the presiding Judge Hon. Justice A.L. Ogunmoye, sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for their involvement in kidnapping and conspiracy.

The convicted individuals—Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola, and Ogunlayi Seun—received life sentences for kidnapping and an additional five years for conspiracy.

The fifth defendant, Ojo Tope, was acquitted and discharged of all charges.

The crimes occurred on September 14, 2017, in Ikere-Ekiti, where 75-year-old Madam Florence Popoola was abducted from her home. She was held captive in a forest between Eyio and Awo-Ekiti for four days before being released after a ransom of N1.5 million was paid.

The four convicted individuals were charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap, under various sections of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act and the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law.

Julius Ajibare, Esq., the Director of Public Prosecutions for Ekiti State, presented four witnesses and eight exhibits to support the case.

The defendants, represented by their lawyers Chris Omokhafe, Esq., and Sunday Ochai, Esq., provided their own testimonies but did not present additional witnesses.

The Honourable Court, after thoroughly evaluating the evidence led, delivered judgment and held that the prosecution proved the offenses of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping against the first to fourth defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Judge consequently convicted four out of the five defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment.