The Oyo State Government has described the life imprisonment sentences imposed on three people convicted over their roles in the Oriire school abduction as “cold comfort”, saying the punishment does not reflect the gravity of the offence.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, made the remarks during a radio programme in Ibadan on Friday while commenting on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja and the government’s efforts to strengthen security around schools.
The Federal High Court sentenced the three convicts 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 fell short of the severity warranted by the crime, given 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 be regarded as equally culpable as those who carried out the abduction.
“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, Oyelade said the state government would not appeal the court’s decision.
“While we have our reservations, we respect what the law has said,” he said.
The commissioner, however, commended the Federal High Court for the swift handling of the case, describing the trial and judgment as a positive development for Nigeria’s justice system and evidence that criminal cases can be concluded without undue delay.
He also called for a review of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism and related criminal laws, arguing that the existing legal framework should be strengthened to tackle kidnapping, terrorism and other emerging security threats more effectively.
According to Oyelade, tougher legislation, backed by speedy prosecution and effective enforcement, would serve as a stronger deterrent to criminal activity.
