An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two men, Ojo Babajide (31) and Olajide Nathaniel (35), to 15 years imprisonment each after finding them guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, stated that the incident occurred on March 23, 2022, in Oye Ekiti, where the convicts conspired to abduct one Atana Emmanuel.

Adeyemo informed the court that their actions were in violation of Sections 280 and 279 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

During the trial, the prosecutor presented the victim’s and the defendants’ statements as exhibits and called one witness to support the case. In response, the defence counsel, Akinola Abon, pleaded for leniency on behalf of his clients, describing them as “fresh graduates that are preparing to go for their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).”

While delivering his judgment, Justice Adeniyi Familoni decried the persistent cases of kidnapping in the region.

“The incidents of kidnapping in our communities appear unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts being made to curb the vice,” he observed.

The judge condemned the choices made by the convicts, stating, “The defendants willingly but unwisely choose to join this vice train. Therefore, they cannot escape the consequences.”

He emphasized the need for a firm response to such crimes, saying, “In this vein, they deserve more than a slap on the wrist as the penal sanction for their misdeed, to serve as a deterrent to others.”

Justice Familoni sentenced each of the convicts to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping, to run concurrently without the option of a fine.

The judgment takes effect from May 21, 2025.

A Department of State Services (DSS) official told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that the Eastern Security Network (ESN), created by Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), operates illegally, unlike Amotekun, which is backed by laws enacted by South West state assemblies.

Testifying as the second prosecution witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu, the DSS officer made the distinction between the two groups during a re-examination by the lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

“ESN and Amotekun are not the same. I know that states in the South West passed laws to legalise Amotekun. But ESN is not registered. ESN is illegal. Amotekun is recognised by law,” the DSS official stated.

He acknowledged that DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi had, in the past, spoken about community policing, but clarified that it must be done “under the guidance and approval of security agencies” to prevent misuse.

Earlier, defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) presented three video clips contained on a flash drive, all of which were admitted as evidence and played in open court.

One of the videos featured the DSS boss addressing a crowd, promoting the idea of community-led protection efforts against bandits, while also emphasizing oversight.

“The practical approach to mobilising people is to get everyone involved. It is impossible for the security agencies to deploy to every part of the country,” the DG said in the clip.

“What we need to do is to make communities set up a first line of defence. We have to allow some level of armament for the communities to rise and defend themselves first, but under the guidance and approval of security agencies. The time to start it is now.”

When asked by Erokoro if the DSS chief was encouraging self-defence among communities, the witness reiterated that the call was made “under the guidance and approval” of established security organs.

Another video clip showed former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, accusing the military of collaborating with criminal groups:

“They collude with the armed bandits that kill people, that kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movements. They cover them. If you are depending on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die one by one,” Danjuma said.

When asked to identify the speaker, the witness confirmed it was Danjuma but declined to comment further:
“You can call him and ask for the interpretation of what he meant.”

The third video featured Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who blamed the violence in the state on opposition politicians.

Erokoro asked if this contradicted the DSS claim that IPOB members were responsible for killings in Orlu, Imo State.

The witness responded:
“Our investigation revealed those who were killed by suspected IPOB members, and we mentioned their names. The governor did not mention any names of people he said were killed.”

He also testified that Kanu remained an IPOB member even after the group was proscribed by court order.

When asked about the EndSARS protest, the witness acknowledged the public’s demand for the disbandment of SARS and the role of various inquiry panels that followed.

Erokoro presented the Lagos State commission’s report on EndSARS, which the court accepted into evidence.

The witness confirmed that the report neither implicated IPOB nor labeled the protests as terrorism.

Before adjourning, Justice James Omotosho granted the prosecution six days to call its remaining witnesses and wrap up its case.

The defence will have nine days. The trial is scheduled to resume on May 28 and 29, June 6, 16, 18, and 19.