An Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced a 22-year-old herdsman identified as Mohamodu Zuberu to four-year imprisonment for kidnapping a 13-year-old boy in the state. 

Upon arraignment on September 3, 2020, the convict had pleaded guilty to a lone charge of kidnapping preferred against him by the police after an interpreter explained his alleged offence to him. 

The police prosecutor, Mr John Idoko said, the Mohamodu on 21st August 2020 at about 3:00 AM at Iwari village via Ikoyi unlawfully kidnapped one minor to an unknown destination in such manner as to prevent any person entitled to have access to him thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364(2) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. 

The case was adjourned to September 24, 2020 and later to September 30 for presentation of fact. 

While the prosecutor was giving the facts, he tendered a touch light, Phone, Pullover and a stick and he informed the court that the convict demanded a ransom of 2 million naira which was later reduced to 350,000 naira.

The convict begged the court to have mercy upon him for his act. 

The presiding magistrate, Mr Opeyemi Badmus, in his judgment said, with the circumstance of the case and the plea of the accused, the offence of kidnapping had been established against him. 

The court found him guilty of kidnapping the 13-year-old, saying kidnapping or abduction of a fellow human being for ransom is a heinous crime and should not be encouraged in our society and as such Mohamodu Zubaru is sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with hard labor without an option of fine.

Adenitan Akinola