From Saka Bolaji, Minna
Following their conviction for kidnapping, Chief Magistrate Jibrin Zabbo, has sentence four kidnappers to a total of 56 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
It is the first conviction to be carried out under the new law criminalising kidnapping and cattle rustling introduced by the Niger state government and which came into force on August 3, 2016.
Samson Yebo Taidi, Jibrin Mohamned, Abdulhamid Danladi, Noah Akinoluwa, and Chukwu Emeka Elenza Daniel were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Zabbo on a one count charge of conspiracy to commit kidnap and self-kidnapping contrary to sections 3 (1) and 6(1) of the kidnapping and cattle rustling ( special provisions) law 2016.
The offence carries a sentence of 14 years without option of fine for anyone convicted.
State Prosecuting Counsel Suleiman Bwari Wushishi told the court that Samson Yebo Taidi “arranged his own kidnap in collaboration with the four others with the purpose of getting ransom from his parents”.
The prosecution added that Samson Yebo Taidi travelled to Kuta together with Jibrin Mohammed and stayed at the residence of Abdullahi Danladi who used his phone to communicate and negotiate a N30,000 ransom with the parents of Samson.
Bwari Wushishi added that Chukwuemeka Elenza Daniel was the first to be contacted by Samson adding that Daniel suggested the involvement of Jibrin Danladi because he Danladi ” had greater courage “.
The prosecution further told the court that Noah Akinoluwa was involved in the scheme because he assisted Samson with information on the efforts by his family members to secure his release. Noah got N6,000 for his efforts from the ransom.
As for Chukwuemeka he refused to tell the parents the truth when he was contacted that Samson was missing.
When the charge was read to the accused persons four of them pleaded guilty and were convicted. The fifth accused person who pleaded not guilty was remanded in prison custody pending ” the hearing and determination of the case against him.”
Chief Magistrate Jibrin Zabbo will pass the sentence on those convicted next Monday March 6.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Nasara Danmalam reacting to the development described the decision of the court as “a land mark decision that will reduce the cases of kidnapping in the state.”
” The conviction is the first test to this law,” Danmalam said, adding that “in the past arrests were made but there was no relevant law to prosecute offenders. We are very comfortable with the law because of its penalty”.
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