Crime & Court
Court Upholds Conviction of Dethroned Baale for Faking Abduction
The Court of Appeal sitting in the Lagos Division has upheld the conviction of Mutiu Ogundare, the dethroned Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, for faking his abduction.
On September 27, 2022, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja convicted and sentenced Ogundare to 15 years in prison.
Displeased with the verdict, Ogundare appealed the decision.
Justice Paul Bassi, delivering the lead judgment on behalf of a three-man panel, affirmed the lower court’s judgment on counts one and two but overturned count three. Justice Bassi noted that Ogundare’s appeal succeeded in part, reducing his sentence to 12 years.
The court decreed that “the appellant is to serve 10 years imprisonment for count one and two years for count two, respectively.”
The sentence for the third count, related to false representation in the alleged kidnapping, was overturned.
The panel included Justice Abdullahi Bayero and Justice Folashade Ojo, both of whom concurred with the lead judgment.
Ogundare was initially remanded on July 16, 2017, at Kirikiri Prison by an Ogba Magistrate’s Court for allegedly staging his own kidnapping. He was prosecuted alongside his wife, Abolanle, and his brother, Opeyemi Mohammed, on charges of conspiracy, breach of peace, and fake kidnapping.
On June 15, 2022, Justice Oshodi convicted Ogundare and Opeyemi Mohammed, reserving judgment until September 27, 2022. Ogundare’s wife, Abolanle, was acquitted of all charges.
During sentencing, Ogundare’s counsel, Olarewaju Ajanaku, pleaded for leniency, citing Ogundare’s remorse and a new perspective on his actions.
Similarly, Dr. Olayinka Owoeye, representing the second defense counsel, requested mercy, stating that Mohammed had learned his lesson.
Conversely, state prosecution counsel Jubril Kareem urged adherence to legal provisions.
Justice Oshodi commented, “I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsel. However, it is the view of this court that the convicts showed no remorse during the trial. In fact, the first convict (Ogundare) tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be taught to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Ogundare’s alleged kidnapping occurred on July 5, 2017. He was purportedly abducted by three men along CMD Road, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area. Ogundare had received a phone call from supposed developers interested in a property within his domain.
He drove to the designated location with his brother, where they were purportedly met by the kidnappers. The alleged abduction ended when Ogundare’s brother noticed a weapon and raised an alarm, leading the kidnappers to flee with Ogundare.
Ogundare later admitted to security services that he had staged the kidnapping to extort the state government.
In response to the scandal, former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode ordered Ogundare’s removal as the Baale of Shangisha.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of four bloggers accused of defaming and cyberstalking the management of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
The defendants—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—face a 10-count amended charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory content about GTCO on various social media platforms.
During proceedings on November 13 and 14, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the severity of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The judge specifically noted that Precious Eze had previously been charged with a similar offense in another court and was on bail at the time of the alleged actions, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
Justice Faji emphasized the destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, pointing to the cross-border nature of some of the allegations.
“The regulatory oversight of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be undermined by false claims,” the judge remarked, referencing GTCO’s CBN-approved audited statements.
At the previous hearing, defense counsel Afolabi Adeniyi had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants were ready to stand trial.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, opposed the motion, raising concerns about the defendants potentially absconding and stressing the need for a swift trial.
In his ruling, Justice Faji rejected the defense’s plea, ordering an expedited trial to address the case’s significant implications for the financial industry.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10 and 12 for continuation.
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