A High Court sitting in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has convicted a 20-year-old, Lawal Awalu Ahmadu, for kidnapping. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ahmadu’s conviction followed his arraignment before Justice Fola Ajayi by the State Security Service (SSS) in October 2024.
He was charged on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping.
The Court found Ahmadu guilty of kidnapping five persons and collecting one million, two hundred and fifty thousand Naira ransom.
Justice Ajayi, while delivering the judgement, however, affirmed that none of the victims died while in Ahmadu’s custody and said Ahmadu will only be charged with the prescribed punishment as enshrined in the state code: “The suspect is hereby sentenced to imprisonment for life without option of fine.
In a related development, an Abeokuta High Court on Thursday sentenced two men to death by hanging. Just as one other was sentenced to 21 years in prison for armed robbery and attempted murder.
The convicts, Wale Adedeji, Akeem Sulaimon, and Wahabi Idowu, were found guilty and convicted on a four-count charge. Their charges border on conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora, said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused persons committed the offences as charged.
Ogunfowora convicted the trio to 14 years each on count one and two for conspiracy and armed robbery
The judge handed Idowu 21 years on count four and five for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
Ogunfowora subsequently sentenced Adedeji and Sulaimon to death by hanging. While Idowu was convicted to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Earlier, the Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Bolariwa Adebowale, told the court that the convicts committed the offences on October 29, 2018 at about 12:30 a.m., at No 40 Merroy Road, Safari Junction Onikolobo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.