NIGERIA: FOUR MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN LAGOS

March 26, 2023:

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on 23 March 2023 sentenced four men to death by hanging for armed robbery and kidnapping of Mrs Gloria Emole.
The convicts, Ifeanyi Maduaka, Victor Chukwunonso, Obinna Nwankwo, and Richard Nwabueze, are said to have committed the offences on the 19 of November 2012 at about 8.30am.
They were arraigned on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping on the 13 of July 2013, preferred against them by Lagos State and remanded in prison custody.
Dr Babajide Martins, the state Director of Public Prosecution, told the court that they kidnapped the victim who was about to leave her house at 7, Unity Street, Ogudu GRA area of Lagos.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary to and punishable under Sections 297,285 (2) and 291 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
”The victim was kidnapped on the 19 of November 2012 and was later released on the 22 of November 2012, after her husband paid a ransom of $70,000.”
Justice Lateef Lawal Akapo, on 23 March, held that the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. And sentenced the defendants to 10 years for the first count of conspiracy.
”They are sentenced to death by hanging for the second count of armed robbery and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for the third count of kidnapping”, Justice Lateef held.