On Thursday, an Edo High Court sitting in Auchi found one Taofeek Isah guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging for the kidnapping and assault of 20-year-old Blessing Ezekiel with hazardous drug. Three other defendants received sentences ranging from four to 19 years in prison.
The defendants, Taofeek Isah, Jeremiah Okamudu, Godwin Adeyemi, and Miracle, were brought before the court on five counts, including rape, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, inflicting bodily damage, and wrongful trial by torture.
Isah, the first defendant, was given the death penalty by the presiding judge, Justice Philip Imoedemhe; Jeremiah Okamudu, the second defendant, received a four-year prison sentence without the option of a fine; and Miracle Pius, the fourth defendant, received a 19-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.
The first, second, and fourth defendants were found guilty of the accusations, according to Justice Imoedemhe’s ruling, which was based entirely on the evidence presented to the court.
Imoedemhe commanded that Taofeek Isah be given a hanging punishment while the other prisoners were transported to the Auchi Correctional Center to complete their sentences.
Clement Eseigbe, the chief prosecutor from the Edo State Ministry of Justice, had claimed throughout the trial that Isah conspired with three of his pals to abduct, gang rape, and severely assault Blessing Ezekiel, age 20.
According to the prosecution, the defendants committed the crimes on October 22, 2021, at the Okpella community of Edo State’s Etsako East Local Government Area.
Another prosecutor, Adekutu, claimed that “the defendants did rub pepper into Blessing’s vagina and caused physical injury on her by striking her with a cutlass, wood, and other dangerous things.”
Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021: The offenses committed “are opposed to Section 4 and Punishable Under Section 5 (1), (B), and Section 25 (1).”
In a related case, the court also gave Taiwo Buoro, 61, a 10-year prison term for raping a 12-year-old child.
Buoro was sentenced by Justice Philip Imoedemhe without the option of paying a fine.
The crime was committed on September 19, 2021, in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State by farmer Buoro.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Edo State 2021 violates Section 4 and imposes punishment under Section 5(1).
Representatives of BraveHeart Initiative (BHI) for Youth and Women responded to the verdicts by expressing excitement.
The NGO workers praised the verdict and offered the survivors in both cases complete help.
