Five suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of elder statesman, Olu Falae were docked in Akure, Ondo State today, on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase.
Arase had on Oct.13 confirmed the arrest of five of the eight-man gang who kidnapped Falae at their hideouts in Niger, Ekiti and Ondo states. The Department of State Service (DSS) had also arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
They were arraigned on a five-count charge of kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery.
However, all them pleaded not guilty to the offence when the charges were read to them.
The judge, Justice Rotimi Olamide, adjourned the case till Nov. 10 for further hearing, while also remanding the suspects at Olokuta Prison in Akure.
From the charge sheet presented at the High court on Thursday, more light was shed on how the suspect shared the N5million ransom paid by the family of the elder statesman to buy his freedom.
The suspects identified as Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal were arrested by Police Special Intelligence Response Team (PSIRT) in Abuja and other locations.
The charge sheet said Auta was arrested in Niger and Ibrahim in Ondo. Muhammed, Lawan and Tanu were picked up in Ekiti States.
“Exhibits Recovered from the suspects included N823,990:00, 12 Sim cards, phone used for Chief Falae ransom negotiation and a Red Bajaj motorcycle with Registration Number KER 385 QA used for the kidnapping operation and carrying of Chief Olu Falae to their camp when he got tired of walking in the bush,” the charge sheet read.
Three of the suspects, before they were arraigned on Thursday at the Akure High Court, confessed their involvement in the abduction.
According to them, eight people took part in the operation.
The suspects said they don’t know the ring leader of the group, adding that somebody spoke with them on phone and gave them instructions on what to do.
Ibrahim said he lives in Akure, but declined to mention his occupation.
A top ranking police officer said Auta, who is one of the leaders of the gang, was caught with N823, 990 inside his car in Niger State.
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