Ekiti: ACP, mechanic bag life in jail for getting stolen car or truck from kidnappers

An Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Okubo Aboye, 57, and his mechanic, Niyi Ibrahim Afolabi, 39, on Monday, bagged everyday living imprisonment for getting a stolen auto from kidnap suspects.

An Ekiti Point out higher court sitting in Ado Ekiti which gave the judgment, also sentenced seven other persons, Solomon Ayodele Obamoyegun 39, Femi Omiawe 40, Damilola Obamoyegun 20, Bose Sade Ajayi 30, George Blessed 35, Chukwuma Nnamani 22, and Sunday Ogunleye 45 to 5 yrs imprisonment just about every without having an possibility of wonderful for kidnapping.

In their testimony, the investigating law enforcement officers explained the auto was tracked to the compound of ACP Akubo Aboye, who on interrogation confessed that he purchased the Hilux van from his mechanic who received it from the kidnappers.

The offence runs contrary to sections 346(2), 1(2)a, and portion 5 of the Prison Code Cap C16 Regulations of Ekiti Condition, 2012 and Theft and firearms exclusive provisions Act, Cap R11, guidelines of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In his judgement, Justice John Adeyeye found the two accused persons guilty and sentenced them to existence imprisonment accordingly.

To show the kidnapping scenario, the prosecutor, Felix Awoniyi termed 7 witnesses though reveals tendered include things like statements of the accused people and bond to release van to the proprietor.

According to the demand, the offence was fully commited on or about 9th -19th working day of May perhaps 2005 at GRA, Ado Ekiti, when the 1st -7th accused, armed with guns kidnapped a person Moses Ajogri 40 and robbed him of his Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No. App 509 BK.

The 9 accused individuals spoke in their own defence by way of their counsels who promised to review the verdict and acquire required methods.

Providing the judgment, Justice John Adeyeye said, “Kidnapping people today for ransom is incredibly rampant in not only the condition but in Nigeria as a complete.

“The court will be failing in its duty to defend the associates of the culture if suitable punishment is not supplied to the accused people.”