In a recent twist of legal events, the Kwara State High Court, stationed in the bustling capital of Ilorin, delivered a hefty life imprisonment sentence on Thursday to Serikin Fulani of Kwara, Usman A Adamu (his brother), and Gidaddo Idris. The charges? A combo of conspiracy to kidnap and the actual act of kidnapping itself.
The convicts found themselves in the legal crosshairs for allegedly abducting Abubakar Ahmad, a case that unfolded in the middle of the previous year. According to the accusations, they managed to squeeze out a hefty ransom of N1 million before eventually releasing the captive after a nerve-wracking 20 days.
Taking the helm in prosecuting the case, Kwara State’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Idowu Ayoola, steered the defendants into the courtroom for charges related to the alleged kidnapping conspiracy and the subsequent crime.
During the trial, Justice Adenike Akinpelu laid down her verdict, emphasizing that the trio, regardless of their physical presence at the scene, were collectively in cahoots to commit the crime. She pointed out that the convicts not only apprehended their victim but also falsely labeled him a kidnapping suspect, attempting to squeeze money out of him.
Expressing her disappointment, Mrs. Akinpelu remarked, “It is saddening and disturbing that community leaders charged with the welfare of their subjects could, because of the love of money, breach the security of the same subjects. They are hereby found guilty as charged and are so convicted.”
In response to the convicts’ plea for leniency, the judge cited Section 15 of the Lead State Anti-Kidnapping Law, highlighting the absence of discretion for leniency. The verdict? Life imprisonment, with the sentences running concurrently.
To add a financial sting to the convictions, she mandated a payment of N600,000 to the victim of the abduction.
