An Akure High Court has sentenced four persons to life imprisonment for kidnapping a traditional ruler in 2015 and demanding a ransom of N100m.

The four convicts are Lucky Smart, Abraham Mike, John Felix and Roson Anufa Amory.

Mr. David Ikpen, who was arraigned with the convicts, was however discharged and acquitted for want for evidence.

Presiding Judge, Justice Aderemi Adegoroye, held that Ikpen, being a driver to the late leader of the kidnap gang, could not be held liable for an offence of his late boss.

The convicts were arraigned for conspiracy and kidnapping of the Regeant of Akungba Akoko along the Ose-Owo highway and Abdul Aliu on June 2^nd 2015 and demanded payment of N100m as ransom.

They were also said to have kidnapped one Ijeoma Susan Azubuike on May 31^st and demanded a ransom of N10m.

Justice Adegoroye said the prosecution led by Barr. John Olowookere proved their case beyond reasonable doubts.

He found four of the defendants guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on count two, three and four bothering on kidnapping and sentenced them to five years imprisonment with hard labour on count one bothering on conspiracy to commit felony.

Olowookere said the judgment showed that the axe of justice grind slowly but would get to all offenders of the law. (The Nation)