Court Sentences Police Boss To Life Imprisonment Over Stolen Vehicle

• Niyi Afolabi also bags life imprisonment

• The offence violated sections 346(2), 1(2)a, and section 5 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti state

A High Court in Ekiti state has sentenced Okubo Aboye, an assistant commissioner of police, to life imprisonment for purchasing a vehicle stolen by kidnappers.

Ekohotblog gathered that Niyi Afolabi, Aboye’s mechanic, will also spend the rest of his life behind bars for his role in the sale of the vehicle, the presiding judge of the trial court ruled on Monday.

According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed “on or about the 9th -19th day of May 2005 at GRA, Ado Ekiti. The kidnappers then armed themselves with guns and kidnapped one Moses Ajogri 40 and robbed him of his Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No. APP 509 BK.”

Testifying during the trial, the investigating police officer said the vehicle was traced to Aboye’s residence and upon questioning, he confessed that he purchased Hilux van from his mechanic who received it from some kidnappers.

Felix Awoniyi, the prosecuting counsel, averred the offence violated sections 346(2), 1(2)a, and section 5 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti state, 2012 and Robbery and firearms special provisions Act, Cap R11, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

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Delivering judgment on Monday, the presiding judge of the trial court, John Adeyeye, held that Kidnapping people for ransom had become very pervasive not only the state but in Nigeria as a whole.

He added that “The court will be failing in its duty to protect the members of the society if adequate punishment is not given to the accused persons.