In a decisive judgment, an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti sentenced two men, Ojo Babajide and Olajide Nathaniel, to a combined 30 years in prison after finding them guilty of kidnapping a university student in 2022.
Both were sentenced to 15 years each—10 years for kidnapping and 5 years for conspiracy. The sentences are to run concurrently, starting from May 21, 2025.
The accused, fresh graduates at the time of the incident, were arraigned in July 2022 on charges that they abducted Atana Emmanuel, a FUOYE student and hair salon operator, on March 23, 2022.
Testifying in court, Emmanuel said he was working at his shop around 7pm when the two men approached and forced him into a car.
He was initially taken to an unknown location before being moved to a hotel in Ado Ekiti, where they coerced him into transferring money for the lodging.
The kidnappers demanded N1 million ransom from his relatives. Emmanuel raised N101,000 but was later assaulted when the rest of the money didn’t come through.
“They made me undress and whipped me with a horsewhip,” he told the court, adding that he sustained visible injuries.
Prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo presented evidence including statements from both the victim and the convicts.
While the defence attorney pleaded for leniency, citing the accused’s recent graduation and upcoming NYSC plans, Justice Adeniyi Familoni maintained that deterrent punishment was necessary.
The judge emphasized that kidnapping remains a rampant threat despite government interventions.
“They chose this path and must bear its consequences,” he concluded, dismissing the plea for leniency.