Court Remands Woman, Two Men For Kidnapping Two-Year-Old Boy

By Mariam Bello

Three suspected kidnappers, one woman and two men have been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo magistrate court for allegedly kidnapping two-year-old boy, Abdullahi Azeez. 

The suspects are Joy Esu, 26; Onwuka, 28, and Agubata Maxwell, 39, who were on a three-count charge bothering on  kidnapping.

The prosecutor, Felix Okafor told the court that the three accused persons and others at large committed the offence on February 18 at about 8pm at No 68 Matanmi, Oke – Baale in Osogbo.

Okafor said the trio  kidnapped a two-year-old boy, Abdullahi Azeez with intention of selling him to get money.

He stated further that the three suspects kept the child in a manner to prevent anyone from discovering the place where he was imprisoned.

According to prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 516, 371 and 364(2) of the criminal code cap 34 volume 11.laws of Osun State 2002.

The three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge levelled against them.

The defence counsel, Doctor V. C Ezeji who appeared with Barrister K. E Ngwoke prayed the court to grant his clients bail quoting section 118 (2) section 36 (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 7 of the criminal code procedures, adding that  the accused persons have no previous criminal records.

Ezekiel also assured the court that all the defendants have reliable and credible sureties to stand for them till the end of their trial.

Muyiwa Ogunleye, the State counsel opposed the oral  bail application made by the defence counsel saying it is premature to grants bail at this stage considering the gravity of the offence even though the granting of bail is at the discretion of the  court.

He quoted the case of Abacha Vs state 2002.

Ogunleye stressed further that count one  is talking about  kidnapping  which is a national issues in the country stressing that the accused persons are not living within the jurisdiction of the court and  may jump bail saying the counsel should come formally with the bail application so that they can be replied formally.

The magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara asked the defence counsel to make a formal bail application and remanded all the three accused persons in Ilesha prison custody.

The case was adjourned to May 18, 2018 for mention.