Three men to die by hanging for kidnapping, killing infant

By ENI SAMUEL

Three men were on Thursday convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for kidnapping and killing a one-and-half-year-old girl, Rachael Akingboye, in Igbokoda, Ondo state on June 17, 2011.

The convicts are Olusegun Obaro, Jonah Lase and Theophilus Friday, were arraigned on two count charge of kidnapping and murdering of the infant.

According to the charge sheet, the offences were contrary to and punishable under Section 3 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law 2010 and murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State.

Justice Olusegun Odusola, who convicted the men, said, the first and second accused persons were guilty of kidnapping and murder, while the third was only guilty of murder.

The accused were said to have kidnapped the deceased in the night from her parent's residence at Ikorigho in Igbokoda on June 17, 2011.

But, soon after the incident, the corpse of the baby was reportedly found near the residence of the parents with her right eye, right ear, right breast and the right part of her scalp removed.

Though the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges at the commencement of the trial, the judge held that the totality of the evidence before him showed that the prosecution had proved that they were responsible for the death of the deceased.

According to him, the prosecution was able to prove his case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the accused should be ready to face the consequences of their action.

“The offences for which the accused were charged are strict liability offences. Death penalty is the punishment for each of the counts.

“Having found the 1st and 2nd accused guilty of both counts; and the 3rd accused guilty of murder, I hereby sentence Olusegun Obaro, Jonah Lase and Theophilus Friday to death by hanging," the judge declared.