3 to die by hanging for kidnap, murder of infant

FOR the kidnap and murder of a one and
half-year-old infant an Akure High Court, weekend,
sentenced three men to death by hanging.
They are Olusegun Obaro, Jonah Lase and Theophilus
Friday.
The presiding judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, said
the first and second accused persons were guilty of
kidnapping and murder, while the third accused
person was only guilty of murder.
The accused persons were brought under a two-count
charge of kidnapping and murdering the infant,
contrary to and punishable under Section 3 of the
Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law
2010, and murder contrary to Section 316 and
punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code
Laws of Ondo State.
The one and half year old infant was said to have
been kidnapped in the night from her parent's
residence at Ikorigho in Igbokoda on June 17, 2011.
The corpse was said to have been found near the
residence of the parents with her right eye, right ear,
right breast and the right part of her scalp removed.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges during
the trial.
Justice Odusola submitted that the totality of the
evidence before him showed that the prosecution
had proved that the three accused persons were
responsible for the death of the deceased.
He said: "The offences for which the accused were
charged are strict liability offences. Death penalty
would be the punishment for each of the counts.
Having found the 1st and 2nd accused guilty of both
counts, the 3rd accused is guilty of murder.
"In sum, I hereby sentence Olusegun Obaro, Jonah
Lase and Theophilus Friday to death by hanging
Sent From David Aniemeka