By Ayodele Popoola
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An Akure Magistrate’s Court has remanded a 34-year-old driver, Idowu Adekanye at Olokuta Correctional Centre for alleged kidnapping and murder.
The defendant was said to have kidnapped and gruesomely murdered his boss, a popular Irele-based businessman, Omololu Olowosoyo.
Adekanye was earlier arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
The prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, informed the court that the defendant conspired with some people at large to commit the offence around 10pm on January 14, 2023, along Ore- Irele road, in Odigbo Local Government of Ondo State.
Oniyere further told the court that the defendant conspired with others at large to kidnap the victim to an unknown destination when he accompanied him on a business trip to Osogbo, Osun State.
The defendant was also alleged to have murdered the deceased with a stick and also strangulated him.
The prosecutor added that a sum of money was found inside the defendant’s private part belonging to the deceased.
The offence, according to the charge, contravenes Section 6(b) and 2(a) and (b) of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction laws, 2010 and Section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37 Vol. I Laws of Ondo State. 2006.
The defendant’s plea was not taken for lack of jurisdiction.
In view of the charge, Oniyere, in an oral application, urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“Relying on the averment therein the affidavit attached to the application, there is probable cause to remand the defendant,” the prosecutor stated.
The presiding magistrate, O.L. Abu, in his ruling, granted the request of the prosecution and ordered that the defendant should be remanded at correctional facility pending the DPP’s advice.
He adjourned the matter till May 5, 2023, for mention.
