Nigerian kidnapper jailed five years

A 21-year old Nigerian who kidnapped an eight-year -old girl from a church in Accra to Aflao in the Volta Region and demanded a ransom of GH?10,000 was on Tuesday sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Circuit Court in Accra.

Victor Anietie Solomon Sunday and his accomplice are said to have kidnapped the victim from the Latter Day's Saints Church at Achimota in Accra. On July 3, this year Sunday, unemployed, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and kidnapping.

In his explanation, Sunday said he needed money so conspired with Michael Udoh, a 14-year old accomplice to engage in kidnapping in order to make some money to travel to Nigeria. The court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava ruled that Sunday’s explanation did not avail him to a defence, adding that, it was an admission of the offence.

It therefore convicted him on his own plea but deferred sentence to Tuesday. Handing down Sunday’s sentence, the court observed that the accused person looked remorseful hence gave him a lenient punishment. Udoh, an accomplice, has, however, pleaded not guilty and he was admitted to bail in the sum of GH?2,000 with two sureties to reappear on July 31.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Samuel Sarkwah told the court that the convict, a native of Akwaibom State in Nigeria, came to Ghana to look for a job but later conspired with Udoh to kidnap children to make money. Chief Inspector Sarkwah said the accused persons went to the Latter Days Saints Church where they got access to the Sunday school kids and managed to kidnapped one of them.

Prosecution said Sunday took the victim to Aflao station at Tudu and begged for alms and had GH? 15.00, which he used in boarding a vehicle to Aflao and food for the victim. Sunday then called the Bishop of the church, saying he had found a missing child of the Mission and asked that the victim’s father should pay GH? 10,000.

According to Chief Inspector Sarkwah through Police investigations Sunday was arrested at Aflao where he led the Police to arrest Udoh.