Ekiti High Court Sentences Two Men To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping NYSC Staff 

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti Judicial Division, has convicted and sentenced two men to death by hanging for the kidnapping of a staff member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The court found Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar guilty of kidnapping Omoboade Adesina, an NYSC staff member, on April 22, 2022 in Ekiti State.

The matter was prosecuted by the Department of State Services, DSS, under suit number HAD/124C/2022. The DSS investigated the abduction and charged the defendants before the High Court.

Delivering judgment, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the prosecution proved the charge of kidnapping beyond reasonable doubt under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

In its findings, the court stated that evidence established that the two defendants conspired and abducted the NYSC staff member. Justice Ogunmoye, noted that kidnapping is classified as a capital offence in Ekiti State and carries the death penalty on conviction.

Consequently, the court sentenced Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar to death by hanging. The sentences were passed in open court in Ado-Ekiti.

A third defendant in the charge, Usman Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted. Justice Ogunmoye ruled that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to establish his involvement in the alleged abduction. The court ordered his immediate release from custody.

During judgment, Justice Ogunmoye commended the Department of State Services for the investigation and the prosecution counsel for presenting credible evidence before the court. He said the decision reflects the judiciary’s commitment to addressing violent crimes in Ekiti State.

The Chief Judge further stated that Ekiti State operates a zero-tolerance policy against kidnapping, armed robbery, and other offences that threaten public safety and security.

Legal analysts noted that under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the convicted persons have the right to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal. The appellate process remains open until the statutory period for appeal expires.

Human rights and security observers have continued to call for consistent prosecution of kidnapping cases as part of efforts to reduce abductions in Nigeria.