An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede has convicted and sentenced five men to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, a prominent Fulani man.
The convicts – Ibrahim Issa, Lateef Bello, Abdul Ramon Soliu, Bello Ibrahim, and Abudu Mumini Jolaanobi Saheed – were arraigned on four charges, including conspiracy to kidnap and murder.
Despite their pleas of not guilty during the arraignment on October 28, 2021, the court found them guilty on all counts.
The court heard how, on the evening of April 17, 2018, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu was abducted from his residence in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government Area.
The abductors forcibly took him away in his Toyota Corolla, and despite his family paying a ransom of N3 million, Adamu was murdered.
The prosecution, led by Faremi Moses from the Ministry of Justice, presented compelling evidence against the accused.
Key testimony came from the investigating police officer, Mr. Ganiyu Taofeek, who detailed the investigation’s findings and presented several critical exhibits.
These included extrajudicial statements from the defendants and a mask recovered at the crime scene, which linked the perpetrators to the crime.
The prosecution also called two other witnesses whose testimonies reinforced the case against the defendants.
In contrast, the defence counsel, Bola Ige, argued that the prosecution had failed to establish the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ige contended that the evidence presented was insufficient and inconsistent, urging the court to acquit his clients.
Despite the defence’s arguments, Justice Kudirat Akano, who presided over the case, found the evidence presented by the prosecution overwhelming.
In her judgement, she declared the five men guilty of all charges and sentenced them to death by hanging.
Justice Akano stressed the gravity of the crime, noting the premeditated nature of the abduction and the cold-blooded murder of Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu.
She remarked on the heinous impact of such crimes on society, stating that the harsh sentence was necessary to serve as a deterrent to others.
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