Three suspected kidnappers have been found guilty and sentenced to death by a High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, over their connection with the abduction of three reverend sisters.
The trio reportedly abducted the sisters at Onipetesi area along the Ore-Lagos highway, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state way back in 2016.
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A ransom of N1 million was paid to secure the release of the Sisters after spending 11 days in the kidnappers’ den.
Seven suspects including a couple were arrested following their release and arraigned to court on eight counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, aiding and abetting kidnapping, and accessory.
The suspects included Reuben Akinbehinje, Saheed Oyewo, Seun Lajuwomi, Abimbola Akinbehinje, John Uche, Seun Akintan and Lateef Hammed.
One of the defendants, Saheed Oyewo, reportedly died during the period of trial.
Trial judge, Justice Ademola Adegoroye, stated the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping against three defendants – Reuben Akinbehinje, Seun Lajuwomi and John Uche, beyond a reasonable doubt after several court proceedings.
Justice Ademola found the trio guilty of the offence and sentenced them to death by hanging.
The judge also stated that the prosecution could not produce any evidence against the duo of Seun Akintan and Lateef Hameed, ordered them to be discharged and acquitted.
Abimbola Akinbehinje, a wife of one of the convicts, Reuben, was also charged with being an accessory in the matter and was fined N50, 000.
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