An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 26-year-old man, David Isaiah, to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder of a commercial sex worker, Comfort James.
The presiding judge, Justice Lekan Olatawura, delivered the verdict, convicting Isaiah on three counts—conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder—following his arraignment on April 18, 2024.
The offences were said to contravene sections 280, 279(a), and 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
According to the prosecution, Isaiah conspired with an accomplice, Saviour Daniel—who reportedly died while the trial was ongoing—to lure and abduct the victim in February 2024 in Ado Ekiti.
Comfort James was later murdered after attempts to collect a ransom of N100,000 from her colleagues failed.
Testifying in court, the Director of Afrika Brothel in Irona, Ado Ekiti, where the deceased worked, narrated how other sex workers raised the alarm when the victim failed to return.
“She called them, saying she had been kidnapped, her hands were tied, and a ransom was demanded,” he said.
The matter was reported to the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), tracked the suspects through mobile phone records.
Isaiah and Daniel were later arrested and led security operatives to the site where they dumped the deceased’s body.
Prosecution counsel, Ibironke Odetola, presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits including the defendant’s confessional statements, a bottle of herbicide, a pair of slippers, SIM cards, and photographs of the deceased.
In his statement to the court, Isaiah admitted to the crime. “After having sex with her, we used her phone to call her friends and demand ransom.
When the ransom didn’t come, and because she had seen our faces, we tied her hands and neck and poured herbicide into her mouth. She died later,” he confessed.
The defendant, however, called no witnesses in his defence.
Justice Olatawura ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The defendant is guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder. Any sympathetic consideration cannot be justified by the heinous manner in which the deceased was killed,” the judge declared.
The Justice consequently, sentences Isaiah to 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy, life imprisonment for kidnapping, and death by hanging for murder.
“The judgment of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul,” the judge concluded.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
