An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Monday sentenced three individuals to a combined 97 years imprisonment without the option of fine for offenses including kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of offensive weapons.
Sentences Handed Down
The convicts are Augustine Agbogbo, sentenced to 40 years; Adeniyi Olamilekan, sentenced to 25 years; and Ademoh Gabriel, sentenced to 32 years. The court, however, discharged and acquitted three other defendants—Ogungbemi Gbenga, Monday Rakiya, and Oseni Mutairu—after the prosecution failed to prove the charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons against them.
Details of the Charges
The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on August 11, 2023, on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of offensive weapons. According to the charge, on June 6, 2022, at Ayede Ekiti, the defendants conspired to rob Ajibade Adeleke of N15,000. On December 20, 2022, at Itapaji Ekiti, they robbed retired Lieutenant Commander Victoria Eisape of N40,000 and kidnapped her. They also kidnapped Ajibade Adeleke on the same date and location, while armed with guns and cutlasses.
Additionally, on April 6, 2023, at Iyemero Ekiti, the defendants were found in possession of three long-barreled guns, 33 live cartridges, and 56 expended cartridges without a license. These offenses contravene Sections 47, 279, 280, and 312(2)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.
Victim's Testimony
In her testimony, retired Naval officer Lt Cdr Victoria Eisape narrated how she and Ajibade Adeleke were kidnapped on the Itapaji–Iyemero Road. The kidnappers demanded N70 million ransom but released her after receiving N8 million. She reported the incident to the police upon her release.
Prosecution and Defense
The prosecutor, Albert Adeyemi, called seven witnesses and tendered evidence including statements from the defendants, a search warrant, three guns, 33 live cartridges, a military head warmer, and expended cartridges. The defendants, through their counsels Chris Omokhafe and Olakanmi Falade, spoke in their own defense but called no witnesses.
Judgment
Justice Familoni, in his judgment, stated that the retraction of confessions by Agbogbo, Olamilekan, and Gabriel regarding conspiracy and kidnapping was an afterthought. He rejected their testimonies, finding that the prosecution had proven the offenses of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping against the first three defendants, as well as unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and firearms against the third defendant. They were convicted accordingly.
Regarding the fourth, fifth, and sixth defendants, the judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to their discharge and acquittal.
Sentencing Remarks
The judge noted that kidnapping incidents in Nigeria remain unabated despite concerted efforts to curb the vice. He emphasized that the convicted persons deserved stiff punishment to serve as a deterrent to others. Consequently, on count one (conspiracy), Agbogbo, Olamilekan, and Gabriel were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. On count two, the first and second defendants received 15 years each. On count four, the first and third defendants were each sentenced to 15 years. On count six, the third defendant received seven years. All sentences are without the option of fine and are to run concurrently, effective from the date of their arrest and remand.
