Court jails 3 over kidnapping, armed robbery in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti Division has sentenced three persons to a cumulative of 97 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine. The defendants – Augustine Agbogbo (58), Adeniyi Olamilekan (39) and Ademoh Gabriel (39) were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 11th August 2023 on a six-count charge bordering on […]

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti Division has sentenced three persons to a cumulative of 97 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
The defendants – Augustine Agbogbo (58), Adeniyi Olamilekan (39) and Ademoh Gabriel (39) were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 11th August 2023 on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons, among others.
The prosecutor, Albert Adeyemo, said the offences were contrary to Sections 47, 279, 280, and 312(2)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.
Adeyemi called seven witnesses and tendered statements of the defendants, search warrant, three guns, 33 live cartridges, one military head warmer and expended cartridges as exhibits, to prove his case.
The defendants spoke in their own defense through their counsel, Barrister Chris Omokhafe and Olakanmi Falade but called no witness.
Delivering his judgement, Justice Adeniyi Familoni said, “I find Augustine Agbogbo, Adeniyi Olamilekan and Ademoh Gabriel’s retraction of their confessions to conspiracy and kidnapping of Rtd. Lt. Cdr. Eisape Victoria and Ajibade Adeleke an afterthought.” I therefore reject their testimonies in defense to the charges.
“It is my findings that the prosecution proved the offences of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants and the offence of unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and firearms against the 3rd defendant.
“They are therefore convicted on the counts accordingly.
“However, the prosecution failed to prove alleged offence of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons against the 4th, 5th and 6th defendants Ogungbemi Gbenga, Monday Rakiya and Oseni Mutairu beyond reasonable doubt, they are therefore discharged and acquitted on all counts in the charges.
“The incident of kidnapping in our communities across Nigeria appears unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts being made to curb the vice.
“The 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants committed these heinous crimes and cannot escape the dire consequences. They deserve stiff penalties for their misdeeds.
Their punishment should serve as a deterrent to others with such inclination and tendencies.
“Consequently, on count one (Conspiracy), Augustine Agbogbo, Adeniyi Olamilekan and Ademoh Gabriel are sentenced to 10 calendar years imprisonment each. On count two, 1st and 2nd defendants are sentenced to 15 calendar years imprisonment each. On count four, the 1st and 3rd defendants are each sentenced to 15 calendar years imprisonment and on count six, the 3rd defendant is sentenced to seven calendar years imprisonment.
“All the sentences are without options of fine and to run concurrently, with effect from the date the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants were arrested and remanded in custody,” the judge pronounced.