Court remands alleged kidnappers of ex-U.I DVC

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates' Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered that six men be remanded in a correction center for the alleged kidnapping of former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan, Prof. Adigun Agbaje.

The police charged Ibrahim Mohammadu, 25; Jubril Adamu, 25; Mohammadu Abdullahi, 25; Ahmed Mohammadu, 24; Umaru Abdullahi, 20; and Abubakar Sidi, 20, with conspiracy, kidnapping, demanding ransom, collection of ransom, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Idowu, who did not take their plea for want of jurisdiction, ordered their remand at Abolongo Correctional Facility, Oyo Town.

Idowu said the remand was pending legal advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He adjourned the matter until Feb. 7, 2023, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP Amos Adewale, told the court that all the suspects conspired together to commit the offense.

Adewale said the suspects on Oct. 28, at about 5.30p.m at Onigari area, along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, allegedly kidnapped Agbaje, Abiodun Asiyanbi and Damilola Anifowose.

The suspects, the police said, demanded N50 million in ransom from Folake Adigun for the release of Prof. Agbaje, but collected N37 million.

"They also demanded for N10 million as ransome for Asiyanbi but later collected N5 .6 million, " said Adewale

He said the suspects allegedly demanded N5 million in ransom from Anifowose.

Adewale added that the suspects were also alleged to have unlawfully caused the deaths of Temitope Fatunbi and Sheriff Adekunle.

He said the offense contravenes the provisions of Section 316 and is punishable under Sections 319, 324, and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.