An Ekiti state High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital Monday sentenced an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Okubo Aboye, 57, and his mechanic, Niyi Ibrahim Afolabi, 39, to life imprisonment for receiving stolen vehicle from kidnap suspects.
The court, which gave the judgment, also sentenced seven others; Solomon Ayodele Obamoyegun, 39, Femi Omiawe, 40, Damilola Obamoyegun, 20, Bose Sade Ajayi, 30, George Lucky, 35, Chukwuma Nnamani, 22, and Sunday Ogunleye, 45 to five years imprisonment each without an option of fine for kidnapping.
In their testimony, the investigating police officers said the car was tracked in the compound of ACP Akubo Aboye, who on interrogation, confessed that he bought the Hilux Van from his mechanic, who received it from the kidnappers.
The offence contravenes sections 346(2), 1(2)a, and 5 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In his ruling, Justice John Adeyeye found the two accused persons guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment accordingly.
To prove the kidnapping case, the prosecutor, Felix Awoniyi called seven witnesses while exhibits tendered included statements of the accused persons and bond to release van to the owner.
According to the charge, the offence was committed on or about 9th -19th day of May, 2005 at GRA, Ado-Ekiti, when the 1st -7th accused, armed with guns to kidnap one Moses Ajogri, 40, and robbed him of his Toyota Hilux Van with Reg. No. APP 509 BK.
The 9 accused persons spoke in their own defence through their counsels, who promised to study the verdict and take necessary step.
Delivering judgment, Justice John Adeyeye said, “Kidnapping people for ransom is very rampant in not only the state but in Nigeria as a whole.
“The court will be failing in its duty to protect the members of the society if adequate punishment is not given to the accused persons.”
