Court sentences 2 kidnappers of Bareje’s son to 22 years imprisonment

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

An Ilorin High Court Judge, Justice Mahmud AbdulGafar, has sentenced two kidnappers, Ajadi Oba AbdulRasheed and Ayeni Abayomi to 22 years imprisonment for kidnapping the son of former Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abiodun Bareje.

They were charged with criminal conspiracy to commit kidnap, extortion and armed robbery.

Ajadi Oba AbdulRasheed was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment on the first and second charges of kidnapping and extortion and a fine of N100,000 while the Ayeni Abayomi bagged 10 years also on the first and second charges of kidnapping and extortion and a fine of N100,000.

The sentences are to run consecutively commencing from the day the judgment was delivered.

Delivering the Judgment in Ilorin, Justice Mahmud AbdulGafar said that two others that were connected with the offences, Rasaq and Yakubu AbdulRasaq also known as Alfa Taiye were still at large.

The Judge said he found the accused persons guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnap and extortion of Abiodun Abdulkadir Baraje, son of the former Acting national chairman of PDP, Alh Abubakar Kawu Baraje contrary to section 97 of the penal code.

Justice AbdulGafar disclosed further that the first and second accused persons were guilty of conspiracy and extortion of one 100,000 dollars from Bilikis Baraje (wife of Biodun Baraje) as a result of threat that her husband, Biodun Baraje would be killed if the said sum was not paid which the Judge said was contrary to section 292 of the penal code.

The said offence was committed on the fourth of February 4, 2010 at Success and Regards Filling Station along Asa Dam Road, Ilorin where the accused persons kidnapped Abiodun Abdulkadir Baraje.