Ado Ekiti, Nigeria — Two recent graduates of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, have been sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison for kidnapping a fellow student. Ojo Babajide, 31, and Olajide Nathaniel, 35, will serve 15 years each after their conviction by the Ekiti State High Court on Thursday.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on March 23, 2022, in which the two men conspired to kidnap Atana Emmanuel, a student who was working at a hair salon at the time. The case was brought to court on July 19, 2022, with charges of conspiracy and kidnapping.
In his testimony, Emmanuel described how he was forcibly taken from his shop by Babajide and Nathaniel. “They moved towards me and ordered me into a waiting car. I initially refused, but they forced me,” Emmanuel said. He was then taken to a hotel in Ado Ekiti, where he was held and made to transfer money for his release. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1 million but accepted only N101,000 from Emmanuel’s relatives.
Emmanuel narrated the ordeal he faced, stating, “When they knew the money was not forthcoming, they ordered me to remove all my clothes, and they flogged me with horsewhip.” The victim sustained serious injuries before being released.
During the trial, prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo presented the victim’s statement, the defendants’ statements, and other evidence. The defense attorney, Akinola Abon, pleaded for leniency, noting that his clients were fresh graduates preparing for their National Youth Service Corps.
Judge Adeniyi Familoni, upon reaching the verdict, underscored the seriousness of kidnapping in the community. He stated, “The incidents of kidnapping appear unabated despite efforts to curb it. The defendants made an unwise choice to engage in this crime, and they must face the consequences.”
The sentences of five years for conspiracy and ten years for kidnapping will run concurrently, starting from May 21, 2025.
Prior to their sentencing, the judge emphasized that such punitive measures are necessary to deter others from engaging in similar crimes.
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