Four people will spend the rest of their lives in prison for kidnapping a traditional leader in Ondo State in 2015, an Akure High Court has ruled.
Lucky Smart, Abraham Mike, John Felix, and Roson Anufa Amory were convicted by the presiding Judge, Justice Aderemi Adegoroye for their involvement in the crime.
However, Mr. David Ikpen, who was arraigned alongside the criminals, was released and found not guilty due to a lack of evidence.
Justice Adegoroye held that Ikpen, who served as the late kidnap gang leader’s driver, could not be held accountable for the crimes of his late boss.
On June 2, 2015, Abdul Aliu and the regent of Akungba Akoko were kidnapped along the Ose-Owo route by the convicts, who demanded N100m ransom.
Additionally, they are alleged to have kidnapped Ijeoma Susan Azubuike on May 31 and demanded a N10 million ransom.
Justice Adegoroye ruled that Barr. John Olowookere’s prosecution team had established their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
On counts two, three, and four of bothering on kidnapping, he found four of the defendants guilty and sentenced them to life in prison. On count one of bothering on conspiracy to commit felony, he sentenced them to five years in prison with hard labour.