Kidnapper of university’s female student gets 30 years in prison

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has sentenced 20-year-old David Abiodun to 30 years imprisonment for abducting a female undergraduate of the University of Ibadan.

Justice Nkeonye Maha handed down the sentence on Thursday after finding Abiodun guilty of the charges brought against him.

The judge said the conviction was based on the weight of evidence presented by the prosecution and Abiodun’s own admission of guilt.

“No matter how long it takes, no criminal would escape justice. Abiodun is hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for each of the two offences. Sentencing shall, however, run concurrently,” the judge declared.

Justice Maha further directed that Abiodun would serve the first six years of his term in prison, while the final year would be spent under the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for counselling and rehabilitation.

Before sentencing, defence counsel Mr. O. Ajadi appealed to the court for leniency, describing his client as remorseful. Drawing a parallel between the judge and a compassionate king, Ajadi urged the court to temper justice with mercy and consider a lighter punishment.

Prosecution counsel Mr. T.A. Nurudeen had earlier informed the court that the convict kidnapped the victim between May 19 and June 5, 2024, around the University of Ibadan area in Oyo State.

Nurudeen explained that Abiodun abducted the student and demanded ransom, depriving her of her freedom. He revealed that the convict received ₦2 million through his Opay account from the victim’s relative after threatening to kill her if his demands were not met.

The prosecutor noted that Abiodun’s actions contravened Sections 24A and 30A of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.