Supreme Court Rules on Ransom Demand in Kidnapping Case

On June 13, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, presided over by Justices John Inyang Okoro, Tijjani Abubakar, Chidieber Nwaoma Uwa, Habeeb Adewal Olumuyiwa Abiru, and Moham Baba Idri, addressed the case of Ifeanyi Abanobi, who was convicted of kidnapping under Section 3 of the Abia State Prohibit Terror, Kidnap, and Hostage-Taking Law No. 10 of 2009. The incident occurred on October 26, 2014, when Abanobi and co-accused kidnapped Lydia Acho, a 98-year-old woman, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.

Following a police chase, Abanobi was apprehended after sustaining gunshot injuries. During the trial, the prosecution failed to prove that the kidnapping was for ransom, a critical element of the charge.

The trial court convicted Abanobi, leading to a death sentence, which was upheld by the appeal court. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed Abanobi's appeal, focusing on the prosecution's obligation to demonstrate a ransom demand in kidnapping cases.