National News – An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced three convicted kidnappers to a combined 97 years in prison, delivering one of the stiffest penalties in recent times as authorities intensify efforts to curb rising insecurity.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Adeniyi Familoni, followed a trial that began in August 2023.
The convicts—Augustine Agbogbo, Adeniyi Olamilekan, and Ademoh Gabriel—were found guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Their sentencing stems from incidents that occurred between June 2022 and April 2023 across Ayede, Itapaji, and Iyemero communities in Ekiti State.
According to court proceedings, the trio abducted a retired naval officer, Lt Cdr Victoria Eisape, alongside another victim, Ajibade Adeleke, in December 2022.
The victims were reportedly held captive and a ransom of N70 million demanded before Eisape was eventually freed after paying N8 million.
Investigations later led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition linked to the group.
While the court convicted the three men, it discharged and acquitted three other defendants due to insufficient evidence, reinforcing the judiciary’s insistence on proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Familoni, in his ruling, described the convicts’ attempts to retract earlier confessions as an afterthought.
He emphasized that the sentences—ranging from 25 to 40 years—would run concurrently and take effect from the date of their arrest, underscoring the seriousness of the offences.
Locally, residents and civil society observers in Ekiti have welcomed the verdict, viewing it as a strong signal that the justice system is beginning to match the scale of Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis.
However, some security analysts argue that while convictions are important, prevention through intelligence gathering and policing reforms remains critical.
The ruling highlights a broader national concern: kidnapping continues to disrupt livelihoods and erode public confidence.
By imposing lengthy jail terms without the option of fines, the court appears to be sending a clear deterrent message—one that many hope will resonate beyond Ekiti’s borders.
