By OLAWALE AKINREMI

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Ibadan on Thursday, sentenced David Abiodun, 20, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for kidnapping an undergraduate student of the University of Ibadan, name withheld.

The judge held that she sentenced Abiodun based on the overwhelming evidence tendered against him by the prosecution as well as his guilty plea.

“No matter how long it takes, no criminal would escape justice.

“Abiodun is hereby, sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for each of the two offences.

“Sentencing shall, however, run concurrently,” the judge said.

She held that Abiodun will spend the first six years of the sentence in prison and the last one year in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), receiving counselling on how to be of good behaviour.

Shortly before the judgment, the Defence counsel, Mr O. Ajadi prayed the court to be lenient in sentencing his client, adding that he was already remorseful of his actions.

Comparing the position held by the judge with that of a compassionate king, Ajadi pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy by giving Abiodun a liberal punishment.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr T.A. Nurudeen, told the court that the convict committed the crime between May 19 and June 5 2024, around University of Ibadan, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the prosecutor, Abiodun committed an illegal act by abducting the victim for ransom, thereby depriving her of her liberty.

Nurudeen added that Abiodun collected two million naira as ransom through his Opay account from the victim’s relative after threatening to kill her if they ignored his warning.

He noted that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 24A and 30A of the Terrorism and Prohibition and Prevention Act 2022. (NAN)