By Adenike Ayodele
An Ikeja High Court has discharged and acquitted five labourers after spending seven years in custody over alleged kidnapping.
The defendants are: Damilare Ashimi, 42; Rasheed Yekini, 40; Yusuf Rilwan, 39; Taoreek Ashimi, 29; and Alli Jinadu, 28, who are bricklayers and welders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sixth defendant, Olaoluwa Ojo, died in custody during the trial in 2024 at the age of 28.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oyindamola Ogala discharged and acquitted the defendants, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping.
Ogala held that the manner in which the victim was kidnapped was not established and that there was no eyewitness.
She added that there was insufficient evidence and that no proof of an identification parade was tendered.
The court also noted contradictions in the testimony of the first prosecution witness.
The judge further held that there was no evidence before the court to show that the victim was abducted.
“There is no case to answer,” the judge held.
The court consequently discharged and acquitted the defendants of the two-count charge.
The defendants and others still at large were accused of conspiring to commit kidnapping.
They were also accused of abducting one Chief Rasaq Adamson to an unknown destination on April 23, 2019, in Akpere Community, Ikota, Ajah, Lagos.
The trial witnessed multiple adjournments and arguments before the defence filed a no-case submission dated Feb. 5.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Chinyere Omeire
