By Ayodele Popoola
An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of two persons, Ifeoluwa Fajemiyi and Kehinde Yakubu, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over allegations of armed robbery and kidnapping.
The defendants, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, are facing charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.
The prosecuting counsel, O.F. Akeredolu, informed the court that the alleged offences were committed on September 3, 2025, at about 8:00 a.m. within the Owo Government Forest Reserve, located in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to Akeredolu, the defendants, along with others still at large, allegedly attacked and attempted to rob two victims, Yakubu Jeremiah and Usman Hassan, while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants kidnapped the victims and demanded a ransom of N200,000.
It was also claimed that the defendants were found in possession of unlicensed firearms.
The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 1(2), 6(b), and 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 3(a) and (b) of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.
Akeredolu prayed the court to remand the suspects pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
However, the defence counsel, L. Okoye, filed a nine-paragraph counter affidavit, urging the court to dismiss the prosecution’s application, arguing that no probable cause had been established.
After reviewing the case file and the defendants’ statements, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered their remand and directed that the case file be sent to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned to November 28, 2025, for mention.