By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
A Taraba State High Court in Jalingo has sentenced four men—Prosper Paul, Samuel David, Nosiu Buba, and Samuel Kelvin—to life imprisonment for their roles in an attempted kidnapping plot aimed at extorting ransom from victims’ families.
The verdict was delivered on Friday in case TRSJ/75C/2021 was initiated by the Taraba State Government in November 2021.
Justice Agya, presiding over the case, found the defendants guilty of violating Sections 4 and 5 of the Taraba State Kidnapping and Abduction (Prohibition) Law 2019 (as amended). The court established that Prosper Paul orchestrated a staged abduction involving his girlfriend, Miss Fyafyatirmam Andeteran, and Miss Brenda Anthony to defraud their families of millions of naira. Evidence revealed that Fyafyatirmam’s family paid N4 million in ransom, while a N10 million demand was made in Brenda’s case.
In addition to the life sentence for attempted kidnapping, Prosper Paul received a 12-month sentence for criminal conspiracy without the option of a fine. The other three defendants were acquitted of conspiracy charges but convicted for aiding and abetting the crime, each receiving a life sentence. The prosecution presented six witnesses, including the victims, who admitted to colluding with Paul. Mobile phone tracking led to the defendants’ arrest at Jaudi Hotel in Jalingo during ransom negotiations.
Justice Agya noted that, while the victims were not forcibly abducted, the intent to fraudulently obtain money through a staged kidnapping constituted attempted kidnapping under the law. He condemned the growing trend of young women collaborating with partners to extort money from their families, describing it as a “disturbing social menace.”
Mr. Mahanan Luka, counsel for Prosper Paul, appealed for leniency, citing Paul’s role in a prison chaplaincy group, and indicated plans to review the judgment for a potential appeal. Mr. Dahiru Modibbo, representing the other defendants, also stated he would assess the ruling before deciding on further legal steps.
Mr. Mustapha Adam, Deputy Director of Citizens’ Rights at the Taraba State Ministry of Justice, hailed the ruling as a “landmark judgment” that reinforces the rule of law and serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders.