By Olawale Akinremi
A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Thursday sentenced a 27-year-old kidnapper, Umar Babangida, to 60 years imprisonment.
Babangida was arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of AK47 rifle, demand for ransom and participation in kidnapping.
Delivering judgment, Justice N.E. Maha held that the convict was guilty as charged.
She convicted and sentenced Babangida based on the overwhelming evidence tendered against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Maha held that the DSS was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was a kidnapper.
The judge said that this was based on the convict’s confession in the video clips tendered, and other evidences tendered in court.
She, however, discharged Babangida on three other counts for want of evidence.
“You are therefore sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Agodi Prison for each of counts one, three and five, respectively.
“The sentences shall however, run concurrently,” Mahad held.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mr T.A. Nurudeen had told the court that the convict, a resident of Sabongida Area of Jeba in Kwara, committed the crime on June 14, 15 and 16, 2024 in Akinyele area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The prosecution lawyer said that Babangida along with others, kidnapped two people (names withheld) and immediately initiated ransom negotiation with the victims’ relatives through the victims’ phone numbers.
Nurudeen further said that the convict was apprehended after the secret police gathered intelligence reports on the kidnapping and an AK47 rifle with which he committed the crime was found in his possession.
According to Nurudeen, the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 516, 27A, 12A, 21(2) of the Terrorism and Prevention Act, 2022 and 2018, respectively. (NAN)
