By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

A middle-aged man, Olaoluwa Omolayo, has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly kidnapping, raping and stealing items and cash valued at N1.6 million.

Omolayo was brought before Magistrate Damilola Sekoni, by men of the Amotekun Corps and charged with kidnapping, rape and theft.

The police prosecutor, P.O. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 30, 2025, around 8:30 p.m. at Weliweli 2, Oda Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

According to the prosecution, the defendant unlawfully kidnapped one Dusin Oyeyemi, with the intent of demanding a ransom and forcefully took her to an uncompleted building, where he had carnal knowledge of her.

Nwafor alleged that Omolayo stole N24,000 from the victim, Oyeyemi.

She also told the court that the defendant attempted to rape another woman, one Temidayo Adegbola, without her consent.

In addition, the prosecution said the defendant stole a gold necklace valued at N1,000,000, a power bank worth N30,000, and the sum of N10,000, all belonging to Adegbola.

The offences contravene Section 4 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010, and Sections 357, 358, 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Omolayo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor applied for his remand at the Olokuta Correctional facility, pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

However, the defence counsel, Olubunmi O. Akinseye, opposed the remand application and sought the court’s permission to file a counter-affidavit in response.

Magistrate Sekoni, in his ruling ordered the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Amotekun Corps, till the next date of adjournment.

The matter was adjourned till May 7, 2025, for hearing of the remand application.