26-year-old man sentenced to death for kidnapping, killing Ekiti sex worker

A 26-year-old man, David Isaiah, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court for the kidnapping and murder of Comfort James, a commercial sex worker.

The ruling took place on Monday in the Ado Ekiti Division of the court.

Isaiah faced charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder in connection with the case that involved his deceased accomplice, Saviour Daniel, who passed away during the trial. The court found Isaiah guilty on all three counts, sentencing him to death for murder, life imprisonment for kidnapping, and a 21-year term for conspiracy.

According to the court charge, Isaiah and Daniel conspired to kidnap and murder Comfort James in Ado Ekiti on February 6, 2024. Prosecutor Ibironke Odetola outlined that the crimes violated sections of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

During the trial, the Director of Afrika Brothel, Irona, testified about receiving reports from other workers that James had not been seen. Notably, James had called her peers stating she had been kidnapped and that a ransom of N100,000 was being demanded. It was reported that she was later killed, and her body was discovered following the arrest of the suspects.

The prosecution presented six witnesses and various exhibits, including the defendants’ statements, photos of the deceased, and evidence relating to the crime. Isaiah, in his defense, admitted to the kidnapping and described how they ultimately killed James to prevent her from identifying them.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Olalekan Olatawura confirmed that the prosecution had established the case beyond a reasonable doubt, stating, “Consequently, the defendant is sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy, life imprisonment for kidnapping and for murder, the judgment of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul.”

Source: PUNCH