An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of a victim. The convicts are Jimoh Dele, 57; Ige Adu, 56; Ogunremi Bunmi, 53; and Ayeni Blessing, 32. They were arraigned on a four-count charge including conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, and illegal possession of firearms, stemming from an incident on September 1, 2022.
Prosecution Details
The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, informed the court that the defendants conspired to kidnap and murder Chief Ajayi Emmanuel at his residence. Additionally, law enforcement recovered four locally made single-barrel guns and 13 live cartridges from the convicts. The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened Sections 516A, 3(a) and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Prohibition) Act.
Judgment and Prior Criminal Record
In delivering the judgment, Justice Olalekan Olatawura emphasized that the confessional statements of the first, second, and third defendants revealed they were serial kidnappers, armed robbers, and housebreakers. The judge further disclosed that Bunmi Ogunremi was an ex-convict. Justice Olatawura stated that the prescribed punishments for the offences allowed no room for judicial discretion, leading to the mandatory death sentence.
Impact and Legal Context
The sentencing underscores the severity with which Nigerian courts treat kidnapping and murder cases, especially when firearms are involved. The recovery of multiple weapons and live ammunition highlighted the dangerous nature of the convicts' activities. This case also reflects ongoing efforts by the Ekiti State judiciary to combat violent crime through stringent application of the law. The death sentence by hanging remains a statutory penalty for such offences under the Ekiti State Criminal Code.
