Court Sentences 5 Kidnappers To 9 Years Imprisonment

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Saturday, April 18th, 2015

Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the High Court of Lagos has sentenced five kidnappers to nine years imprisonment having been convicted of the crime of kidnapping on Friday at the court in Igbosere.

Those sentenced were part of the seven defendants in the matter of The State vs Esther Faith Philips and Six Others charged for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony to wit Kidnapping and Kidnapping.

The presiding judge sentenced The 1^st to 5^th defendants – ‘Esther Faith Phillips ‘F’; Patricia Inna ‘F’; Kingsley Okonwa ‘M’ [a.k.a Dragon]; Osita Adigwe ‘M’[a.k.a O/C] and Uzochuchukwu Ezioha ‘M’[a.k.a Black] who pleaded guilty to the four count charge against them.

The Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye who led the prosecution team on behalf of the State Government stated that fresh pleas were taken after the Prosecution team filed amended charges following a plea and sentence agreement entered into with the defendants in accordance with section 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State of 2011.

He said that the five defendants through their counsel had approached the Prosecution with a plea and sentence proposal. The Prosecution acceded to the plea and sentence agreement in view of the fact that the five defendants are assumed to be first time offenders and had shown remorse for the offences committed.

Ipaye informed the court that ‘this was followed by due consultation with the victim, the victim’s family and the investigating police officer in the matter. The five defendants were also informed of their right to remain silent and the consequences of electing not to remain silent prior to the conclusion of the agreement.’

It was stated in the plea and sentence agreement presented by the prosecution team that the five defendants had agreed to be sentenced to nine years imprisonment, including the period already spent in custody.

After confirming that the five defendants had voluntarily entered into and understood the contents of the plea and sentence agreement, the Presiding Judge Justice Akinlade accepted the agreement and proceeded to find the five defendants guilty on all the counts in the amended charges.

Justice Akinlade thereby sentence the five defendants to nine years imprisonment each for conspiracy, robbery and kidnapping one Mr. Ayodele Olaye, aged 28 years and carting away his properties valued at N600,000.

The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently. The suspect were said to have committed the crime at Iba-LASU Road on Sunday April 22, 2012.

Consequently the presiding judge adjourned till Friday May 6, 2015 for continuation of trial of the 6th and 7th defendants-Jude Sunday ‘M’ [a.k.a Bulldozer] and Michael Olanrewaju ‘M’ [a.k.a. Mike] who pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, neglect to report a felony and receiving stolen and fraudulently obtained property contrary to sections 409, 408 and 326 respectively of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of 2011.

Lagos State Government commenced the trial of suspected kidnappers on May 16, 2013.