In a landmark judgment, an Ekiti State High Court has sentenced 25-year-old Gabriel Emmanuel to life imprisonment for kidnapping Oba Adeniran Omotayo, the Eleda of Eda Ile Ekiti. The convict was found guilty of kidnapping, murder, and demanding property with menace with intent to steal.
The court's decision comes after a thorough investigation and trial, which revealed that Emmanuel and his accomplices kidnapped the monarch on June 24, 2020, and demanded a ransom of ₦4 million. The victim was held captive for four days before being released after a ransom of ₦1.28 million was paid.
In his statement to the police, Oba Adeniran recounted the harrowing experience, describing how he was abducted by men carrying AK-47 rifles and held captive for days.
The prosecution presented a strong case, calling four witnesses and tendering key evidence, including phone call logs and statements from the defendant and victim. The defendant's counsel, A.G Anofi, however, called no witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye found the defendant guilty of kidnapping and demanding property with menace with intent to steal. Emmanuel was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and three years imprisonment for demanding property with menace with intent to steal.
This verdict serves as a strong deterrent to potential kidnappers and a testament to the commitment of the Ekiti State judiciary to upholding justice and protecting the rights of citizens.