Ondo Trader Arraigned for Allegedly Abducting Ex-Girlfriend

The police in Ondo State have arraigned a man, Muritala Najimu, before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, for allegedly kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, Omowumi Tiamiyu.

The 27-year-old defendant was alleged to have committed the offence on September 24, 2022, around 8,30pm at lkare Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state.

He was arraigned on two counts bordering on kidnapping.

During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Mr Martins Olowofeso, informed the court that the defendant kidnapped the victim to an unknown destination.

The charges read in part, “That you, Muritala Najimu, and others at large, on September 24, 2022 around 8:30pm at lkare Akoko, in the Ondo State Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony, to wit kidnapping, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code Cap, 37.Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Muritala Najimu, and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, while armed with a gun and other offensive weapons, did kidnap one Omowumi Tiamiyu, 22, to an unknown destination, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (A&B) of the Ondo State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws (Special Provision) 2010.”

The prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Counsel for the defendant, Sunday Ojigbo, however, asked the court to strike out the remand application, saying there was no fact or evidence to prove that he committed the offence.

He also prayed the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms.

The Magistrate, R.A. Olumilua, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till November 23, 2022, for hearing.