The Amotekun Corps in Ondo State has arraigned 12 suspects before an Akure Magistrate Court, on Thursday, October 5, 2023, for various offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and burglary.
The duo of Idris Shuabu and Ibrahim Garuba whose addresses were not provided were charged with three counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
According to the state prosecutor, O.F. Akerodolu , the defendants kidnapped some persons whose names were yet to be ascertained on August 6, 2023, at about 7 pm at Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state and kept them in the forest pending payment of various ransoms.
The defendants were also alleged to have stolen a motorcycle valued at N500,000.
The offences contravene Section 390(9) 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.
Based on the nature of the offences committed, Akeredolu urged the court to remand them at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the issuance of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
However, the defence counsel A. Musa prayed to the court for an adjournment to enable his clients reply to the application.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case till October 13, for a reply and ruling on the application.
Also docked were three suspects namely Ikujuni Oluwasegun, Abbat Seun, and Irinsanmi Sehinde, charged with conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
The prosecution counsel said the defendants were armed with dangerous weapons when they committed the offences on September 22, 2023, at about 5 p.m. at Irele marketplace in Irele, Odigbo Local Government area of the state.
They attempted to steal a bag containing money and other valuables belonging to one Olawanle Omonira and also attempted to kill her.
Akeredolu urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for DPP advice.
The Magistrate adjourned the case till October 13 to enable the defendant reply to the remand application.
Similarly, two suspects, Segun Akindoyo and Ashaolu James were arraigned for stealing and damaging government water pipes.
Akeredolu told the court that the duo on September 24, 2023, at about 8 pm, at Army Barracks, Akure South Local Government, stole and damaged a 20-foot mass water pipeline supplying water from Owena Dam to Akure, valued at N2.4 million.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them
The magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till November 15, 2023, for mention.
Also, the duo of Isaac Abel and Joshua Tochukwu were brought to court for stealing and receiving cable wires and tension cables valued at N750,000, whose owners were yet unknown.
While the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, Sekoni granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like terms and adjourned the case till November 20, 2023, for a hearing.
Also in the same court, two serial burglars, Olufemi Bamidele and Bashiru Shehu were arraigned on two counts of stealing and burglary.
The duo committed the offences at about 2:30 p.m. on September 24 at Surulere Street at Arigidi Akoko.
They allegedly entered the house of one Rashidi Hassan and stole electric wires valued at N700,000.
Following their not-guilty pleas, the Magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Other defendants arraigned for burglary and stealing were Adepoju Adewale and Yakubu Haruna.
However, defendants who could not perfect their bails were remanded at Segede Correctional Centre in Ondo.
