Falae’s kidnappers jailed for life

Olu Falae

An Ondo State High Court in Akure has sentenced seven men to life imprisonment without an option of fine for kidnapping former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae.

The judgment which was delivered by Justice Olamide on Monday found all the accused guilty of abducting the elder statesman.

It discharged them of two of charges, namely conspiracy and armed robbery.

Unsatisfied, counsel to the convicts, Abdul Raham Yusuf, hinted at an appeal.

Director of Public Prosecution at the Ondo State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Adesola Adeyemi-Tuki, however, hailed the judgment.

Falae was abducted on his farm in Ilado Village, Ondo State on September 21, 2015 by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The kidnappers who held him hostage for four days however released him after a ransom was allegedly paid.

An unregistered MTN sim card used by the abductors led to the imposition of a N1.04 trillion fine – which was later reduced to N330billion – on the mobile company by the Nigeria Communication Commission.