By Ayodele Popoola

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The police have arraigned a 23-year-old herder, Adamu Umaru, before an Akure Magistrates’ Court, over alleged kidnapping of two farmers.

The defendant whose address was not given, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping

The prosecution counsel, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at about 10 am on June 29, 2024 at Ikaro Bush via Ifon, Ose local government area of  Ondo State.

Akintimehin said Umaru and others at large conspired to kidnap two farmers working on their farm, one Muyiwa Owolabi and Omoruyi Igbinedinjon, to an unknown destination and demanded a ransom.

He also alleged that the defendant unlawfully detained the victims without their consent.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 364 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.

Akintimehin prayed the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Umaru, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, I. Elabi urged the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms, saying the defendant was not part of the kidnapping gang.

Elabi further explained that the kidnappers had machete themselves to death during an argument and that the defendant was just a good Samaritan that rescued one of the them when he found him half dead.

The magistrate, Mr. Aro Kolawole, granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties.

Kolawole said there is no probable cause to remand the defendant, adding that the Investigative Police Officer’s (IPO), explanation showed that the defendant had no link with the offences.

He ordered that the defendant be kept in the police custody pending the perfection of his bail and adjourned the case until August 17 for mention.