Court remands man for kidnapping Ondo businessman

An Odigbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State has ordered the remand of a 32-year-old man, Olayemi Olawale, at the Okitipupa Correctional Centre for kidnapping a businessman.

Men of the Ondo State Police Command arraigned Olawale before Chief Magistrate D.O Ogunfuyi, on one count charge of kidnapping.

The Prosecutor, Inspector James Usifo, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on August 16, 2023 at about 11:00am around Bovas Filling Station, along Ore/ Benin express road in Ondo State.

Usifo said that the defendant attempted to kidnap one Akeem Ganiyu, who owns a filling station, bakery, factory and fleets of cars at Ofosu.

He said the defendant committed the crime, accompanied by the duo of Awosika Olalekan and Olabamijo Iseoluwa who were on his motorcycle.

According to the charge, the offence contravenes Section 509 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006. But the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, therefore, asked the court for permission to send the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

The defence counsel, Mr. M. E Tiewe, did not oppose the prosecutor’s request.

Chief Magistrate  Ogunfuyi, in his ruling, remanded the defendant at the Okitipupa Correctional Centre pending the outcome of advice from the DPP.

He adjourned the case till September 28, 2023 for mention.