8 suspected kidnappers to spend Christmas, New Year in prison

Eight suspected kidnappers were on Wednesday in Lagos remanded in prison on the orders of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused were Bamidele Blessing, 26; Pleasure George, 31; Martins Kowei, 34; Lawyer Ropo,20; Monday Lucky, 28; Baybay Odondhi, 26; Hope Yanwei, 32; and Chinedu Dim, 17.

The accused are being tried by Chief Magistrate Yemisi Adelaja for a nine-count charge bordering on kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of dangerous weapons and unlawful detention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that their pleas were not taken as the magistrate sent them to prison pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She said: “After a close look at the case before me being a case of kidnap, armed robbery, detaining and capturing people against their will and demanding ransom for their release, I am, therefore, moved to remand the eight accused.

“The accused persons are to be remanded in prison custody pending receipt of legal advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecution.”

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Mr G.O. Osuyi, a lawyer, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime between July and October 2016 at Imota in Agbowa area of Ikorodu.

He explained that the accused had planned the kidnap of the following people — Okechukwu Nkononye, Olukayode Bajomo, Nkechi Igwebike, Otunba Lateef Ogunfowora, and Ezeh John-Pius.

He said that the accused had armed themselves with AK 47 rifles, 51 live ammunition, six AK 47 magazines, and other dangerous weapons and dispossessed their victims of property worth N2 million.

“The accused had used these weapons to rob their victims before whisking them away to a creek and demanding ransom from their relatives before releasing them.”

The offences contravened Sections 27(2), 270(2), 271(2), 297(2) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The case has been adjourned to Feb. 3, 2017 pending legal advice from the office of the DPP.