The Ondo State Security Network Agency, code-named Amotekun, has arraigned 10 suspected kidnappers and armed robbery suspects before the state Magistrate Court on a six-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, stealing and illegal possession of firearms.
The suspects who include, Umaru Ibrahim, Muhammed Ali, Umaru Umaru, Abubakar Ali, Isah Jinadu, Ayuba Matu, Musa Adamu, Abubakar Bello, Isiaku Saliu, and Adamu Abdul, were said to have committed the offences between April and June 2023.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons and others at large, have been terrorising the state and were apprehended by the Amotekun Corps between Owo and Akure road, Ago-Oyinbo, Igbatoro/Famuwagun camp in Osi community of Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The defendants were also alleged to have raped Odey Regina and also robbed one Lawrence Emmanuel, while they went away with his motorcycle and the sum of N450,000.
The state prosecutor, O.F Akerodolu, who informed the court that the defendants kidnapped three persons; Musa Kareem, Odey Regina and Salami Yekini and demanded various ransoms, however, said they have committed an offences contravene the law of the state.
He said the accused person had contravene
Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006, Section 3(ii)(b) of Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010, Section 3(2)(c) Ondo State Violence Against Persons(Prohibition) Laws of Ondo State 2021.
The prosecuting counsel, Akerodolu, urged the court to remand them at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the issuance of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
However, the plea of the accused persons were not taken due to the nature of the offences committed.
The defence counsel, A.M. Obafemi, told the court that the oral application sought by the prosecutor was not tenable and prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defence reply the application on points of law.
Obafemi told the Court that the defendants had been in the Amotekun custody for 30 days and their liberty was still ‘dangling.’
The Presiding Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, subsequently adjourned the case till August 21, for ruling on the application.
About 19 others suspects were also arraigned before the court for various criminal offences of conspiracy, burglary, rape, stealing, and illegal possession of firearms.
Four of the suspects; Umaru Garuba, Bashiru Musa, Lawal Sule and Badamosi Ayuba were arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and breach of peace.
The prosecution counsel said the defendants committed the offences on July 28, 2023 at about 2:30 at Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of the state, while the defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The charge sheet reads; “that you Umaru Garuba, Bashiru Musa, Lawal Sule and Badamosi Ayuba, on or about the 28th day of July, 2023, at about 2:30pm, at Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, did conspire together to commit felonious offences, illegal possession of firearms, breach of public peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of Criminal Code Law, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.”
Magistrate Sekoni, in his ruling, admitted the defendants to N500,000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till September 21, 2023, for hearing.
Similarly, two suspects, Isau Wasiu and Tunde Adeyemi, were arraigned for stealing and damaging a community’s pumping machine on July 29, 2023 at Okitipupa, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The prosecution informed the court that the defendants stole and damaged a pumping machine valued at N50,000, belonging to one Felix Ayara and thereby committed an offence contrary to 383 and punishable under section 390 (9) of Criminal Code Law, Cap.37, Vol.1 Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria, 2006.
The first defendant, Isau pleaded guilty to the charges against him while the second defendant pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate cautioned and discharged the first defendant for being truthful and granted the second defendant, Adeyemi, N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned till September 21, 2023 for hearing.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then