High Court finds Ibrahim and Abdullahi Abubakar guilty beyond reasonable doubt; third suspect acquitted over lack of evidence

An Ekiti State High Court has handed down the death penalty to two men, Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, after convicting them of kidnapping a staff member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Omoboade Adesina.

The court heard that the abduction took place on April 22, 2022. After reviewing the evidence presented, the presiding judge, Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction and sentencing of the duo to death by hanging.

However, a third defendant, Usman Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted, with the court holding that there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

In his judgment, Justice Ogunmoye commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for its thorough investigation and diligent prosecution. He noted that critical evidence, including the identification parade and call data records, played a decisive role in securing the convictions.

The ruling underscores the judiciary’s stance on serious crimes such as kidnapping, as authorities continue efforts to curb criminal activities across the country.