The Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has ordered the remand of a 39-year-old serial fraudster, Chibuzor Elike, to Olokuta Correctional Facility.
The accused was dragged before the court over his claim that the missing one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole who was kidnapped during a church service at the Sotitobire Miracle Centre on November 10, 2019, was in his custody.
Elike who was charged in three-count -charge of felony, threat and demanding with menace, was ordered to remain in prison custody till February 20, 2020.
The prosecution told the court that the accused person committed the offence on December 14, 2019, and said the offence is contrary to and punishable under sections, 509,406 and 407 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
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According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun told the court that he has five witnesses to prosecute the case but only two appeared in court.
He, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the case in other to enable him to study the case file properly.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Isaac Adubazi, however, did not oppose to the adjournment but prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail in a liberal term, saying reasonable and substantial surety would be produced.
After a series of arguments, Magistrate Mayomi Olanipekun, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at Olokuta correctional service, pending legal advice from the Director of public prosecution.
Elike was arrested last week in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by detectives of the Ondo State Police Command following a text message he sent to the wife of Sotitobire’s Founder, Bisola Alfa, demanding N800,000 ransom for the release of the missing boy.
The case was subsequently adjourned till February 20, 2020.
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