An as Asaba Chief Magistrates' Court on Monday sentenced a businessman, Edwin Asoro, to six?years imprisonment for attempted kidnap
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Sylvester Ehikwe, who did not give the convict an option of?fine, said that the prosecution was able to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt that the convict committed the offence.
Ehikwe said that evidence presented before the court by the prosecution helped the court in passing its judgement.
He, however, said that the convict?pleaded for leniency, but?that the?virus called kidnapping was?rearing its ugly head in social life of the citizenry.
“The threat of it, which is a step forward towards the real kidnap has to be nipped in the bud. And those found guilty of such offence like threat to life has no moral justification to ask?for leniency.
“The court has a duty in this regard; the court will, therefore, be failing in its duty if it succumbs to such plea,’’ the chief magistrate said.
Ehikwe also said, “I have considered his plea for litigation and, therefore, sentence him to three years imprisonment for count one and another three years imprisonment for count two.
“And the jail terms are to run concurrently.''
The Prosecutor, Senior State Counsel, Miss P N Etumudon, had told the court that the convict and others now at large on Feb. 8,?at Sapele, in Delta committed the offence.
Etumudon also told the court that the convict and others now at large on the same date and place attempted to kidnapped one Mr Frank Olu and his family unless he was paid N1.5 million.
She further told the court that the convict and others now at large on the same day with intent to steal demanded for N1.5 million with menace from Olu and his family.
Etumudon said that the offences were punishable under sections 323 and 406 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict had earlier pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge brought against him and urged the court to discharge him. (NAN)