By Gbenga Ojikutu
The High Court of Ekiti State presided over by Hon.Justice A.L Ogunmoye on Monday convicted and sentenced four persons to life imprisonment.
The convicts are Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola and Ogunlayi Seun were convicted for the offence of Kidnapping and 5years imprisonment for the offence of Conspiracy.
The 5th defendant,Ojo Tope was however acquitted and discharged for all the offences.
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 4 days until she was eventually released after the payment of #1.5 Million Naira ransom.
The 4 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,Esq,who prosecuted the case for Ekiti State called 4 witnesses and tendered 8 Exhibits to prove his case.
The convicts who spoke through their counsel,Chris Omokhafe,Esq and Sunday Ochai Esq gave evidence in their defence and did not call any other witnesses.
The Honourable Court after thoroughly evaluating the evidence led 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 4 out of the 5 defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment
