Five men earn nine years imprisonment for kidnapping

Lagos High Court in Igbosere has  sentenced five convicts to nine years imprisonment for kidnapping a half cast, Ayodele Olaoye.

They were first arraigned before Justice Olabisi Akinlade in 2013, where they  pleaded guilty to a six count charge of conspiracy,  robbery and  kidnapping contrary to Sections 279, 294 and 296(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Two other defendants in the trial, Jude Sunday and Micheal Olanrewaju are still being tried for neglect to prevent felony as well as benefitting from the N5million ransom obtained from the victim’s father, contrary to Sections 408 and 326 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Delivering judgment in the case, Justice Akinlade said the convicts have repented and showed remorse. The convicts, Esther Philip,  Patricia Inna,  Kingsley Okonwa,  Osita Adigwe and Uzochukwu Ezioha were arrested in 2012 after conniving to abduct the victim in order to collect money from his Nigerian father.

Justice Akinlade stated that the convicts are first time offenders and that in the course of the case, they had  pleaded with her to tamper justice with mercy. She said:

“I have listened to the first to fifth defendants counsel who pleaded that the court should tamper justice with mercy based on the plea bargain entered in pursuant to Section 75 and 76 of Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011. “The defendants are first time offenders and have learnt their lessons.

I hereby sentence the defendants to nine years imprisonment for each of the four counts against them. Having been in prison from arraignment, it has been agreed that their time, starting today, April 17, will run concurrently’’.

“They shall also give evidence in the trial of the sixth and seventh defendants.” The convicts, according to Olaoye were armed with battle axe and knives and dragged him to the back seat of his Murano SUV, after the third to fifth defendants entered his vehicle where he had parked for the two ladies to ease themselves as requested.