By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi has asked kidnappers to steer clear of Oyo State or be ready to face maximum punishment including death.
The governor said this at the signing of the bill on kidnapping passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly into law at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office,
He declared that the present administration in Oyo State is ready to enforce the law to the letter, saying, “Kidnapping is now a very serious offence in Oyo State, which attracts maximum punishment of death sentence in the event of the death of a kidnap victim while in captivity of the abductors”.
The Governor who lauded Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly for the accelerated passage of the bill pointed out that the new law would help in curbing crime and criminal activities in and around Oyo state.
“Kidnapping is now a very serious offence in Oyo State, which attracts maximum punishment of death sentence in the event of the death of a kidnap victim while in captivity of the abductors.
However, a convicted offender will be liable to life imprisonment if the victim is released or rescued unhurt upon the payment of a ransom, while the kidnapper will be compelled to pay back the ransom,” he said.
Governor Ajimobi added that “similar punishment awaits any person who procures, engages or gives information culminating in the kidnapping of a victim, an offence the law considered to carry the same weight of kidnapping”.
New Nigerian recalled that the bill was recently passed into law by the State House of Assembly, after the submission of report by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Justice, Hon. Olukayode Akande while the Speaker of the of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo and Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House, Mr. Paul Bankole, signed the bill last before the governor’s assent.
The law prescribes life imprisonment for any person who kidnaps or threatens to kill, maim or cause bodily harm in order to compel another person, corporate body or organization to do or abstain from doing any act as a condition for the release of the victim as well as “20 years imprisonment” for nyone that “makes an attempt to kidnap. While anybody who aids or abets kidnapping is liable to imprisonment for 15 years upon conviction”.
Also, the kidnapping law stipulates “15 years imprisonment or any non-custodian punishment that may be determined by the court for any person who puts himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of extorting ransom from his employer, any person or body” while any property owner who knowingly or willingly surrenders his building over which he has control to be used for the purpose of keeping a kidnapped person is liable to 15 years imprisonment, while such property shall be forfeited to the government.
Any person who willingly allows his or her electronics, equipment, instrument, mechanical or movable item to be used for the purpose of kidnapping, aiding or abetting kidnapping has also committed an offence and will be committed to prison for 10 years if convicted.
Similarly, any property, monies and other valuables owned or realized by anybody convicted of the offence of kidnapping shall be forfeited to the government for public use.
According to the law, any person who kidnaps another person by any other means of instilling fear or tricks, with intent to demand ransom or compel another to do anything against his will has committed an office.
