The suspected kidnappers of the Oniba of Iba, Toba Forejo (right) and Isaiah Ododomu (left) being paraded by the Police, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday, August 7, 2016

Akin Kuponiyi

A Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere Lagos State south west Nigeria on Mondai remanded four suspects who were alleged to have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni in prison.

The defendants-   Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned on eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery , felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

The Prosecuting counsel who is also the Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner of Justice  Adeniji Kazeem SAN, told the court that the defendants and others who are still at large conspired to commit the alleged offences on July 16, 2016.

According to him, the offences were committed at Iba Town at the traditional ruler’s palace on the said date.

He added that in the process of committing the crime,  the defendants  murdered two people one of who was ‎a security guard  Sunday Eniola Okanlawon and a commercial motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke.

The offences alleged to have been committed by the defendants are contrary to and punishable under Sections ‎233 of the criminal law of Lagos State, C17, Vol 3 laws of Lagos State 2015.

Kazeem also alleged that the defendants who attempted to murder the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni, while armed  with guns also robbed Abosede of her mobile phone.

“With intent to commit felony the defendants conspired ‎with others at large to kidnap Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni at the Oba’s Palace, Iba Town Lagos,” he said.

According to the prosecuting counsel, the offence of attempted murder is contrary to Section 230, of the criminal law of Lagos State, Ch C17, Vol 3, Lagos State 2015 while the offence of armed robbery is contrary to section 299, 297 (2) (b) and felony to wit kidnap contrary to section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State, Ch. C17 Vol. 3, laws of Lagos State 2015.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences leveled against them, consequently , the Attorney General applied that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody and asked for a trial date.

The first, second and fourth defendants counsel, Chief Selowei Baidi and the third defendant’s counsel J. O Eguaroje were present in court.

However ,the Presiding Judge Oluwatoyin ‎Taiwo adjourned till 4th of November, 2016 for the trial of the defendants to commence.