Suspected kidnappers of Afenifere chieftain, Chief Olu Falae, had a date with the law on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
After their arraignment on a five-count charge bordering on kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal were remanded at Olokuta Prison custody.
The order was given by Justice William Rotimi Olamide of Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure.
All the suspects pleaded not guilty.
The charges read: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae”.
” Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnapped Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Federation Government of Nigeria and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapon”.
The offence according to the prosecution is contrary to section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Also, Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale, suspected killers of former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Albert Ilemobade, were remanded in prison by Justice Olamide for robbery, conspiracy and murder.
In the statement of offence filed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Adeyemi Tuki on behalf of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the accused were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, contrary to section 324 code, cap 37 vol 1, laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The charge reads: “That you Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale on or about 21st of June, 2015 at No 1, Ikere Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure in the judicial division conspire to murder one Prof. Albert Adeoye Ilemobade.”
The suspects were also charged with murder contrary to section 319 of the criminal code, Vol 1, laws of Ondo State. In the particulars of offence, the accused were said to have murdered the late Vice Chancellor by strangulating him to death in his house.
The two accused persons were also charged with robbery, contrary to section 1(2) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) act, cap R11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The particulars of the offence stated that the accused, while using personal violence, did rob the late professor of his Toyota RAV 4, laptop, iPad and a sum of N7,000.
However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
But their counsel, Mr Abduraman Yusuf, did not apply for the bail but opted for the summary trial.
The prosecution counsel, Tuki who led other five counsel said she had four witnesses, including two police officers, a family member and the doctor who conducted the autopsy of the former VC.
Two of the witnesses, Ayokunle Ilemobade and the Police Investigation Officer, Inspector Sikiru Lawal, gave evidences before the court.
Both stated that they thought it was a case of kidnapping until the suspects were arrested in Ijebu-Ode by Ogun state police command.
Justice Olamide adjourned the case to October 27 for further hearing.
