An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a 26-year-old man, David Isaiah, to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial sex worker, Comfort James.
Isaiah was convicted on three counts: conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder. Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Olalekan Olatawura handed Isaiah the death sentence for murder, life imprisonment for kidnapping, and 21 years in prison for conspiracy.
According to court documents, Isaiah and an accomplice, Saviour Daniel—who died during the course of the trial—abducted and killed James on February 6, 2024, in Ado Ekiti.
The prosecuting counsel, Ibironke Odetola, told the court that the offences violated Sections 280, 279(a), and 234 of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.
During the trial, the manager of Afrika Brothel in Irona, Ado Ekiti, testified that the victim went missing after informing colleagues via phone that she had been kidnapped. She said her abductors demanded a ransom of N100,000. The incident was reported to the police and civil defence corps, who later arrested the suspects using phone tracking technology. The suspects eventually led investigators to the site where James’ body was dumped.
The prosecution presented six witnesses and submitted multiple exhibits, including Isaiah’s confessional statement, photographs of the deceased, a pair of slippers, SIM cards, and a bottle of herbicide.
In his confession, Isaiah admitted to tying the victim’s hands and neck before forcing her to ingest herbicide when ransom negotiations failed, claiming they feared she had identified them. He did not call any witnesses in his defence.
Justice Olatawura ruled that the prosecution had established the case beyond reasonable doubt, stating that the gravity of the crime did not allow for leniency.
“The defendant is found guilty as charged,” the judge declared. “The judgment of this court upon you is that you be hanged until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
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