A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three convicts to life imprisonment over their involvement in the Oriire kidnapping incident after finding them guilty of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack. The convicts had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them during proceedings. TVC News……
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three convicts to life imprisonment over their involvement in the Oriire kidnapping incident after finding them guilty of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack.
The convicts had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them during proceedings.
TVC News had earlier reported that the three defendants arraigned by the Federal Government have pleaded guilty to concealing information about the masterminds of the Oriire kidnapping in Oyo State.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Three Defendants Plead Guilty in Oriire Kidnapping Case
The defendants, arraigned before Justice Salem Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also pleaded guilty to being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation
The first and third defendants, Abdulrazak Umar and Shamsudin Adamu, pleaded guilty to providing training, instructions, and inciting members of their WhatsApp group titled “The oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”, to commit acts of terrorism
Abdulrazak Umar also pleaded guilty to mining of gold at streams in the Chaza area, Suleja LGA, Niger State, without lawful authorisation.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), while speaking after the conviction, described the life sentences handed to the three convicts in the Oriire kidnapping case as a strong demonstration of the judiciary’s resolve to tackle terrorism and other violent crimes.
“The defendants were arrested in connection with the heinous crime that was committed in Oyo State against innocent children and teachers,” he said.
He explained that after reviewing the investigation reports, the prosecution arraigned the defendants before the Federal High Court, where the charges were read to them.
Oyedepo said the three defendants admitted guilt to several counts while contesting others.
“They chose to plead guilty to count four, count six, count seven to ten, and pleaded not guilty in respect of count one, two, and three,” he said.
The prosecutor added that the prosecution subsequently presented witnesses and tendered documentary and other relevant evidence to establish the case before the court.
“We went ahead to review the fact of the case, and took all witnesses, tender, available, and relevant evidence which the court relied on and convicted the first, second, and third defendants,” he stated.
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He disclosed that the trial on the remaining charges would continue in September.
“My Lord had equally adjourned trial of the remaining counts, count one, two, three, to the 16th and 17th of September,” Oyedepo said.
Commenting on the court’s decision, the senior advocate said the judgment sends a clear message that terrorism and related crimes will not be tolerated.
“The sentencing that My Lord upheld today clearly demonstrates the commitment of the judiciary to the fight against terrorism, to show that in our jurisdiction, crimes have no place to stay,” he said.
He warned that failing to report criminal activities, even when committed by relatives or friends, amounts to aiding crime.
“Failure to disclose the activity of your family members and friends that you know are connected to crime is more or less your demonstration of accepting and agreeing with the unlawful activity that they are perpetrating,” he said.
He added that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating involvement in criminal activities.
TVC News Online had earlier reported that gunmen attacked three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, abducting dozens of pupils, teachers and a school principal.
The attack targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School. A teacher was killed during the assault, while another later died in captivity, triggering public outrage.
However, over 50 days after the attack, the Presidency announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said eight members of the kidnapping gang had been arrested while others were neutralised.
He added that the operation was completed without any concession to the terrorists, including their demand for the release of a notorious gang leader who remains in custody and is facing prosecution.