<p style="text-align: justify"><strong> STEPHEN JONAH ADAH, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgement): </strong>This is an appeal against the decision of the Kogi State High Court delivered on 7th of June, 2016, where the appellant as an accused person was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the offence of Kidnapping contrary to Section 3(b) of the Kogi State Kidnapping, Thuggery and Other related offences (Prohibition) Law, 2010.</p><p style="text-align: justify">The appellant being dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence appealed to this court vide a notice of appeal filed on 28th July, 2016.</p><p style="text-align: justify">The facts of this case are as follows. The appellant was arraigned with one other before the High Court of Justice, Kogi State sitting in Lokoja presided over by Yunusa Musa, J. The appellant was arraigned upon an initial three (3) counts charge of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and impersonation; to which the appellant pleaded not guilty. Thereafter, the trial commenced.</p><p style="text-align: justify">By a Motion on Notice dated the 27th day of July, 2015 and filed on 28th day of July, 2015…</p>