By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two men to a total of 30 years in prison for conspiracy and kidnapping.

The convicts, Ojo Babajide 31 and Olajide Nathaniel 35, were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on July 19, 2022.

They were charged with conspiracy and kidnapping, offences which contravene Sections 279 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

According to the charge, the convicts conspired on March 23, 2022, at Oye Ekiti to kidnap one Atana Emmanuel.

In his statement to the police, the victim said, “I was a student of the Federal University of Oye (FUOYE) and also operated a salon.

“Around 7:00 p.m., while I was in my shop, the defendants entered, approached me, and ordered me into a waiting car. I initially refused, but was forced inside. I was first taken to an unknown location in Oye Ekiti and later ended up in a hotel along Ikere Road in Ado Ekiti. I even had to pay for the hotel room via mobile transfer.

“They asked me to call my relatives to pay a ransom of one million naira for my release. I managed to raise N101,000 through phone calls.

“When they realised more money wasn’t coming, they ordered me remove my dress and flogged me with a horsewhip. I sustained serious bruises all over my body before I was eventually released.”

To prove the case, the prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called one witness and tendered the statements of the victim and defendants, along side with the bond for the victim’s release, as exhibits.

The defendants, represented by their lawyer, Akinola Abon, pleaded for leniency, stating that they were recent graduates preparing to begin their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). They called three witnesses in their defence.

In his judgement, Justice Familoni stated, “The incidents of kidnapping in our communities appear unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts to curb the vice.

“The defendants willingly but unwisely chose to join this criminal path and must face the consequences. They deserve more than a slap on the wrist as punishment for their actions, which should serve as a deterrent to others.”

The court sentenced each defendant to five years in prison for conspiracy and ten years for kidnapping, with no option of  fine

The sentences are to run concurrently, effective from May 21, 2025, the judge pronounced.