Five arraigned over alleged attempted kidnapping in Akure
By Boye Oyeyemi
Five men have been brought before an Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State over an alleged plan to abduct a person in the state capital.
Those facing the charge are Joseph Simon, 23; Usman Mohammed; Usman Umaru; Ibrahim Mohammed; and Muhammed Anthiena, 30.
The police told the court that the incident allegedly occurred on August 28, 2026, at about 7:20pm in the Sango area of Akure, along the Ado Road. The police prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, accused the defendants of attempting to execute a kidnapping operation within the court’s jurisdiction.
Oniyere said the alleged act amounted to an attempted felony and was punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Volume I, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
When the charge was read to them, they denied the allegation and entered pleas of not guilty.
The prosecution therefore informed the court that it had two witnesses lined up to testify and asked for an adjournment to enable it get ready for the hearing. Meanwhile, the defence lawyer, H.O. Orisameyinti, applied for bail for the accused persons.
Ruling, Magistrate Temitope Adurota granted the application, setting bail at N1m each with two sureties in like sum, alongside a N100,000 deposit into the Judiciary account.
The matter was subsequently fixed for September 17, 2026, for hearing, while the defendants remained at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail terms.
