An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for kidnapping a 75-year-old woman in Ikere Ekiti. The convicted individuals—Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola, and Ogunlayi Seun—were also each given a five-year sentence for conspiracy.
The court, however, acquitted the fifth defendant, Ojo Tope, of all charges.
The case involved the kidnapping of Madam Florence Popoola from her home on September 14, 2017. She was held captive in a forest between Eyio and Awo-Ekiti for four days before being released following the payment of a N1.5 million ransom.
The defendants faced charges including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, noted that these offences violated the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act and the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law.
The defendants, represented by their counsel Chris Omokhafe and Sunday Ochai, presented their defense but did not call any witnesses.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye ruled that the prosecution had proven the charges of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping against the first four defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, these four were sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and five years for conspiracy, but were acquitted of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. The fifth defendant, Ojo Tope, was acquitted and discharged of all charge