Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Monday sentenced three persons to 97 years imprisonment without options of fine for kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons.
The convict, Augustine Agbogbo, was sentenced to 40 years,
Adeniyi Olamilekan, bagged 25 years and Ademoh Gabriel, was jailed for 32
years.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted three persons
-Ogungbemi Gbenga, Monday Rakiya and Oseni Mutairu for failure of the
prosecution to prove any of the alleged offences of conspiracy, kidnapping,
armed robbery and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons against them.
The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi
Familoni on 11th August, 2023, on six-count bordering on conspiracy,
kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons, among
others.
The charge read that, “The defendants on 6th June, 2022 at
Ayede Ekiti did conspire to rob one Ajibade Adeleke of N15,000, on 20th
December, 2022 at Itapaji Ekiti; did rob one Lt Cdr Victoria Eisape (retd) of
N40,000 and on the same date, time and place, did kidnap the victim. Also, on
the same date, time and place, did kidnap Ajibade Adeleke, as at the time of
the operations, they were armed with guns and cutlasses.”
The charge added that “also on 6th April, 2023, at Iyemero
Ekiti, three long-barreled guns, 33 live cartridges and 56 expended cartridges
without a license were found in their possession.
“The offences were contrary to Sections 47, 279, 280, and
312(2)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021,” the charge stated.
In her testimony before the court, one of the victims, Lt
Cdr Eisape, a retired Naval officer, narrated how she, alongside Ajibade
Adeleke, was kidnapped on Itapaji – Iyemero Road and asked to pay N70m ransom
before her release on payment of N8m, adding, “I reported the matter to the
police upon release.”
The prosecutor, Albert 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.
The defendants, who spoke in their own defence through their
counsels, Chris Omokhafe and Olakanmi Falade, called no witness.
Delivering his judgement, Justice Familoni said, “I find
Augustine Agbogbo, Adeniyi Olamilekan and Ademoh Gabriel’s retraction of their
confessions to conspiracy and kidnapping of retd Lt Cdr Victoria Eisape 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 the 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 a reasonable doubt, they are therefore
discharged and acquitted on all counts in the charges”.
The judge, who said the incident of kidnapping across
Nigeria appeared unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts being made to
curb the vice, said that the three convicted persons deserved stiff punishment
to serve as a deterrent to others with such inclinations and tendencies.
Judge pronounced, “Consequently, on count 1(Conspiracy)
Augustine Agbogbo, Adeniyi Olamilekan and Ademoh Gabriel are sentenced to 10
calendar years imprisonment each. On count 2, the 1st and 2nd defendants are
sentenced to 15 calendar years imprisonment each.
“On count 4, the 1st and 3rd defendants are each
sentenced to 15 calendar years imprisonment. And on count 6, 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."
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