An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede has convicted and sentenced five men to death by hanging for the kidnap and murder of Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, a 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. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on October 28, 2021.
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During the trial, the prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Faremi Moses, presented evidence that the five men kidnapped Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu on April 17, 2018, around 7:45 pm from his home in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government Area, Osun State. Adamu was abducted in his Toyota Corolla and subsequently killed after his family paid a ransom of N3 million.
Faremi called three witnesses, including the investigating police officer Mr Ganiyu Taofeek, who submitted several exhibits, such as extrajudicial statements and a mask recovered at the scene.
Counsel to the convicts, Bola Ige, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the accusation beyond a reasonable doubt.
In her judgment, Justice Kudirat Akano found the convicts guilty on all four counts and sentenced them to death by hanging
