An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of 75-year-old Madam Florence Popoola in Ikere Ekiti. The convicted individuals—Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola, and Ogunlayi Seun—were also given five-year sentences for conspiracy.
The kidnapping took place on September 14, 2017, when the elderly woman was abducted from her home and held in a forest for four days before being released after a ransom of N1.5 million was paid. While four of the defendants were found guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping, the fifth defendant, Ojo Tope, was acquitted of all charges.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Julius Ajibare, provided evidence that included four witnesses and eight exhibits to support the charges. The court, presided over by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Ogunmoye sentenced the four guilty defendants to life imprisonment for kidnapping and five years for conspiracy to kidnap. However, they were acquitted of the charges related to armed robbery. The fifth defendant, Ojo Tope, was acquitted and discharged of all charges.
