Reverend sisters’ kidnap: Court orders remand of 8 in prison custody

A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, on Thursday, has ordered the remand of eight suspected kidnappers in prison over alleged robbery and kidnapping of two Reverend Sisters and their driver.

The accused were said to be behind the abduction of the Reverend Sisters and their driver at Onipetesi village in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state in May, 2016.

The suspects, included a couple, Reuben Akinbehinje and his wife, Abimbola, and Saheed Oyewo, Seun Lajuwomi, John Imoleayo, Seun Iseoluwa Akintan, Damilare Akundasa and Lateef  Fayemi.

The accused were arraigned on a seven-count charge bothering on kidnap, robbery and conspiracy contrary to the relevant laws of the state.

According to the prosecution led by John Olowokere, the accused allegedly conspired to kidnap and rob Perpetual Apo, Yohana Zibai and Bukola Roseline Familade who are Reverend Sisters, on May 12, 2016 but were later apprehended by the police in the state.

Olowookere, however, sought the order of the court to remand the eighth accused in the prison, saying the accused had been in custody of the State Security Service for over a month due to the industrial action in the state.

He said this would allow him to seek legal advice from the state Directorate of Public Prosecution, saying the crime occurred during the recent industrial action in the state.

The defence counsel, Yemi Egbodofo, noted that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try the case, but he said he would not waste the time of the court objecting the application in order to fast track the matter.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Adedapo, granted the application that the accused should be remanded at Olokuta Medium Security Prisons while the case was adjourned  till August.