From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
An Ekiti State high courtroom sitting down in Ado-Ekiti on Monday jailed a 57-12 months-old, Assistant Commissioner of Law enforcement, ACP Okubo Aboye, and his mechanic Niyi Ibrahim Afolabi, aged 39.
The two convicts were sentenced to lifestyle imprisonment for receiving a stolen car from kidnap suspects.
The court also sentenced seven other folks, Solomon Ayodele Obamoyegun, 39, Femi Omiawe, 40, Damilola Obamoyegun, 20, Bose Sade Ajayi, 30, George Lucky, 35, Chukwuma Nnamani, 22, and Sunday Ogunleye, 45 to 5 yrs imprisonment every single without an solution of fine for kidnapping.
The investigating law enforcement officers stated the stolen vehicle was tracked to the compound of ACP Aboye who, on interrogation, confessed that he acquired the Hilux van from his mechanic who obtained it from the kidnappers.
The offence contravenes sections 346(2), 1(2)a, and part 5 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Legal guidelines of Ekiti Condition, 2012 and Theft and firearms unique provisions Act, Cap R11, rules of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In his judgement, Justice John Adeyeye discovered the two accused persons guilty and sentenced them to lifetime imprisonment appropriately.
To verify the kidnapping circumstance, the prosecutor, Felix Awoniyi known as 7 witnesses even though show tendered incorporate statements of the accused persons and bond to release van to the proprietor.
The cost indicated that the offence was committed amongst 9th and 19th of May well 2005 at GRA, Ado-Ekiti, when the 1st to 7th accused, armed with guns to kidnap one particular Moses Ajogri, 40, and robbed him of his Toyota Hilux van with Reg No Application 509 BK.
The nine accused folks spoke in their own defence through their counsels who promised to review the verdict and acquire the required stage.
Providing the judgment, Justice Adeyeye reported: ‘Kidnapping men and women for ransom is incredibly rampant in not only the state but in Nigeria as a entire.
‘The court will be failing in its responsibility to secure the associates of the society if suitable punishment is not presented to the accused folks.’