2 sentenced to death for Kidnapping in Kwara
The Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery in Baruten Local Government Area of the state. The convicts, Abubakar Sodiki and Abubakar Mohammed, were found guilty on a six-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal possession […]
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The Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.
The convicts, Abubakar Sodiki and Abubakar Mohammed, were found guilty on a six-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ahmed Aliyu Gegele, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the evidence before the court clearly established the involvement of the defendants in the crimes.
The prosecution had told the court that the defendants conspired to abduct their victim and held him hostage, while demanding ransom.
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During the trial, the victim, Alhaji Saheed Arowasi of Boniya community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, narrated his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers.
Arowasi told the court that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million, but later agreed to accept N10 million after negotiations before he was eventually released.
The prosecution counsel, Muslimah Suleiman, had argued that the charges against the defendants were sufficiently established by the evidence presented before the court.
Before the sentence, the court invited the defendants to make their allocutus.
Counsel to the first defendants, Shu’aib Ibrahim, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
While the first defendant begged the court for leniency, the second defendant maintained that he knew nothing about the allegations and urged the court to discharge and acquit him.
He was represented by Barrister M.U Mustapha.
The prosecution, however, informed the court that it was not aware of any previous criminal record against the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Gegele said he had carefully considered the pleas of the defendants but noted that the court had no discretion where the law had clearly prescribed punishment for the offences.
The court consequently sentenced the defendants to death by hanging on counts one and two relating to armed robbery.
They were also sentenced to life imprisonment for the offence of kidnapping.
On the charges of illegal possession of firearms, the court sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment.
The judge ordered that the sentences be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Reacting after the judgment, counsel to the first defendant, Shu’aib Ibrahim, requested the court to make a certified copy of the judgment available to enable the defence study it and decide on the next line of action.
The case, which commenced on April 29, 2025, had its final addresses adopted on July 30, 2025, before judgment was delivered on Thursday.