By Bamidele Kolawole

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A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Oke-Eda, Akure has ordered the remand of  a suspected kidnapper, John Liberty, at the Olokuta correctional centre for kidnapping and armed robbery.

According to the Prosecution, the defendant, alongside others at large are connected to the high profile kidnapping of four persons, including a toddler for ransom.

The victims are identified as, Daniel Bamikole, Bobutife Olayinka, Fikayomi Olayinka and Masichukwu Akaolisa, a three-year old  baby.

The prosecutor, A.O Akinrelere informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 22, 2021, at No 4, Calvary Street, Leo area, in Akure.

Also, the defendant was said to have robbed different people of their valuables  at gun point.

The victims are; Olayinka Titilayo of her Toyota Muscle car; Bamikole Afolashade, her handbag containing one Tecno phone valued at N90,000 and other valuables, including Akaolisa Lawrence Odera and Akaolisa Judith Chioma of their handbags containing three Android phones worth N200, 000.

The offences contravene Sections 516, 3(i) 3(i)b, 3(ii), 2(a) (b) and 7 Laws of Ondo State Anti-kidnapping & Anti-Abduction Law 2010.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Akinrelere, however moved an Ex parte Motion, in dated May 8, in which he sought for remand of Liberty. He cited Section  299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ondo State 2006.

The defence counsel, Mrs Ola Adedire did not oppose the prosecution’s remand application.

The presiding magistrate, Musa Al Yunus, granted  the prosecutor’s application and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Olokuta correctional centre.

He adjourned the matter till June 11 2022 for further mention.