Police Arraigns 12 Suspected Kidnappers In Court
The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned 12 suspected kidnappers arrested in connection with a kidnappers’ den discovered at ‘Ile-Zik’ Bus Stop in Ikeja area of the state before Lagos State Chief Magistrate sitting in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias ordered that the accused persons, including a woman, be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons after they were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, attempted kidnap and possession of arms and ammunition.
They are to remain behind bars pending when the State Director of Public Prosecutions would issue a legal advice on the case.
The kidnappers’ den was discovered at Ijaiye area on the Oshodi-Abeokuta Expressway last week.
The accused persons are Hakeem Ogundele, 32; Noah Samuel, 25; Ayomide Olatunji, 44; Felix Matthew, 34; American Obodoyibo, 42; Shola Elemo, 32; and Adijat Mudashiru, 32.
Others are Tunde Akanji, 41; Adeoye Adekeye, 38; Patrick Onwubufor, 65, Samuel Iyede, 50; and Bright Amankwa, 36.
The police prosecutors, Sgt. Kehinde Omisakin, informed the court that the accused persons committed the offences on August 10 between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. at Ile-Zik Bus Stop near Ajayi Farm in Ikeja on the Oshodi-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway.
According to her, the 12 accused persons had conspired to kidnap some students of a nearby Girls Junior High School, but the students luckily escaped.
Omisakin further told the court that one live ammunition, nine empty shells of expended ammunition, one kitchen knife and road maps were also recovered from them.
The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the offence which contravened Sections 22, 330 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Chief Magistrate Elias has adjourned the case until August 22 for hearing.
