Online Taxi Driver Acquitted in BRI Branch Manager Murder Case

The East Jakarta District Court has acquitted online taxi driver Eka Wahyu Hidayatullah of charges of kidnapping and murdering Muhammad Ilham Pradipta, the head of a BRI bank branch. The court declared Eka not guilty, finding no proof of his involvement in the victim's death.

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Defendant Eka Wahyu Hidayatullah was not the one who had the idea or was involved in the kidnapping of Muhammad Ilham Pradipta. He was an online taxi driver hired by Boma.

Presiding Judge Juwandra stated that Eka was hired by another individual, Boma, to take photos as requested. The court determined that Eka was unaware of any kidnapping plans and therefore could not be held criminally responsible. "Defendant Eka Wahyu Hidayatullah was not the one who had the idea or was involved in the kidnapping of Muhammad Ilham Pradipta. He was an online taxi driver hired by Boma," the judge explained.

Previously, the public prosecutor had sought a four-year prison sentence for Eka and a restitution payment of Rp 40.6 million. The prosecutor presented this demand on June 22, 2026.

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Defendant Eka Wahyu Hidayatullah is legally and convincingly not guilty and not proven to be involved in the victim's death.

In a related development, the court sentenced defendant Erasmus Wawo to nine years in prison and ordered him to pay Rp 100 million in restitution. Failure to comply within 30 days would result in an additional two months of imprisonment. The court found Erasmus "legally and convincingly guilty of involvement in the victim's death," according to Juwandra. The judges considered Erasmus's role in the kidnapping, noting he was in the car with the victim, used violence, and bound the victim with black tape. Although not the main instigator, his actions contributed to the crime.

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Defendant Erasmus Wawo is legally and convincingly proven guilty of involvement in the victim's death.