Precious Oham
Seven suspected armed kidnappers have been remanded in prison for allegedly involving in kidnapping, murder and armed robbery.
The Ondo State Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital ordered the defendants; Mohammed Umaru, Sulieman Aliu, Abubakar Ibrahim, Abudu Barzor, Muhammed Tukur, Aota Bello, and Cindu Yahu to be remanded in Amotekun custody.
According to reports, the defendants were arrested by the state security outfit also known as Amotekun Corps for kidnapping three persons, killing one person on Ikare-Owo Expressway who resisted abduction, as well as robbing another victim.
The defendants were arraigned before the court on four counts bothering on conspiracy, armed robbery, murder and kidnapping.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendants committed the offence on August 4, 2022 between Ago Paanu and Ose River along Owo-Ikare Road in the state.
According to him, the defendants conspired with others at large, while armed with weapons to kidnap four persons identified as Oniku of Iku Quarters, Ikare Akoko, High Chief Bello Mukaila; an APC Chieftain, Hon Niran Adeyemo; a Community leader, Basiru Adekile and another Chief Yeye gbafinro, Risikatu Sulieman.
He said the offence committed contravened Sections 3(ii)b and 6 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010,Sections 1(1) and 2 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R.ll Laws Volume 14 of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 308, 316,320 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo 2006.
The prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendants in the correctional centre formerly
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge as their counsel, U.F. Salau prayed for an adjournment to enable him file a counter affidavit to the application.
The Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, ordered that the defendants should be remanded at the Amotekun custody and adjourned the case till August 18 on ruling on the remand application.