By Kayode Afolabi, Ore
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A 32 -year- old trader, Gbemisola Obakpolor has been docked before an Ore Chief Magistrates’ court for allegedly taking away a 14- year- old girl from the parent under deceit.
The missing girl, identified as Tosin Ajetomobi was reportedly taken away from her mother Rashidat Ajetomobi by the accused in November 2022 at Newtown, Odigbo in Ore and has not been found since.
The Police Prosecutor, Gbenga Martins arraigned Obakpolor before Chief Magistrate O.A Omofolarin for taking Tosin away from the lawful custody of the mother under deceit to put her in college but failed to do so.
In the one count charge, Martins claimed that the accused could not give a reasonable account of Tosin’s whereabouts since she was taken away by Obakpolor.
The offence contravenes Section 362 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Volume. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offence levelled against her.
Martins, therefore sought for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and gather his witnesses for trial.
The defence team led by B. D Adedugba, did not oppose the prosecutor’s application, but prayed the court to grant the accused person bail in most liberal terms.
The prosecutor opposed the bail application made by the defense counsel, saying the defendant would abuse the privileged or run away, if eventually granted bail.
Counsel to the complainant, Mr Jayeola Ogungbade urged the court to take note of the accused’s boasting that if the child was not found, nothing will happen.
After listening to the submissions of counsels to both parties, Chief Magistrate O.A Omofolarin granted the prayer of the prosecutor and ordered the remand of the accused person in the Ondo female Correctional Centre.
She adjourned the case till May 23,2023 for bail consideration.
Hope Metro had reported that the mother of the girl, a 55-year-old fruit seller, had called on well meaning Nigerians to come to her aid over her missing 13-year-old daughter, Tosin Museliu, who was in Obakpolor’s custody.
