Oriire Abductors Deserve Death Sentence, Not Life Sentence – Oyo Govt

Oyo State government has described the life imprisonment sentence handed to three persons convicted for their roles in the Oriire school abduction as a “cold comfort,” saying the punishment falls short of the gravity of the crime but that it will respect the court’s decision and will not file an appeal.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated this on a radio programme on Friday in Ibadan where he spoke on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security around schools.

The Federal High Court had sentenced three persons to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of concealing information about the masterminds behind the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Reacting to the judgment, Oyelade said the sentence did not adequately reflect the magnitude of the offence, considering the trauma suffered by the victims, their families and the state.

”The ruling is a cold comfort. We expected capital punishment for the convicts, as that would better reflect the gravity of abducting innocent schoolchildren and teachers,” he said.

He argued that those who concealed information about the kidnappers should not be separated from those who carried out the crime.

”It is myopic for anyone to try to create a wedge between the crime of concealment committed by these people and those who actually perpetrated the crime. They are one and the same,” he added.

Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the sentence, the commissioner said the Oyo State government would not challenge the judgment.

‎”The government will not be appealing the judgment. While we have our reservations, we respect what the law has said,” he stated.

‎Oyelade, however, commended the Federal High Court for the speedy trial and determination of the case, describing it as a positive development for Nigeria’s justice system and a demonstration that justice can be dispensed without undue delay.

‎He also called for a review of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism and related criminal laws, arguing that the current legal framework should be strengthened to adequately address terrorism, kidnapping and other emerging security threats.

‎According to him, stronger legislation, backed by speedy prosecution and effective enforcement, would serve as a greater deterrent to criminal activities.