Three docked for attempted murder of Pastor Ighodalo, attempt to hypnotise wife

Three men were on Thursday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over an attempt to murder Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, founder of Trinity House Church, Lekki, Lagos State.
The accused are Abdulkareem Mohammed, 24, a dog handler; Akeem Ewuosi, 36, a native doctor and Paul Eke, 29, a security guard.
Mohammed resides at No. 24, Moloney St., Lagos Island, Ewuosi lives at No. 21, Joseph St, Lagos Island, while Eke resides at Ilaje Street, Ajah, Lagos.
The accused are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, SP Chidi Okoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences between Jan. 28 and Feb. 10 at No. 4B, Ogun St., Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Okoye said that Mohammed, the dog handler for the Ighodalos, conspired with Eke, a guard, to kill the pastor.
He said that they also conspired to kidnap Ighodalo’s wife, Ibidun, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth R., a popular Lagos events management company.
According to the prosecution, Mohammed, who was newly employed by the Ighodalos to train and care for their pet dog called Simba, was interested in Ibidun, the wife of the pastor.
“He hatched a plan with Eke to poison Simba and also kill Ituah.
“The purpose of Mohammed’s plan was to transfer Ibidun’s affections for her husband and dog to himself with the help of `juju`,’’ he said.
Okoye said that Mohammed had approached Ewuosi, a native doctor, to assist him.
“Ewuosi then gave a substance suspected to be poison to Mohammed which he was to have used to poison Ituah and Simba, the dog.
“Ewuosi was paid the sum of N5,000 for his services.
“The native doctor said that after the dog had been poisoned, Mohammed should bathe with a special soap prepared by him.
“The spiritual powers in the soap will enable Mohammed to control Ibidun as well as have intimate relations with her,’’ the prosecutor said.
Okoye alleged that the dog trainer, who was residing with the Ighodalos, also connived with Eke, a security guard in the neighbourhood , to kidnap Ibidun for a N10 million ransom.
The prosecution said that Mohammed poisoned and killed Simba but his plan to murder the pastor was foiled when the Holy Spirit revealed the evil plot to Ibidun .
“Mrs Ibidun Ighodalo confronted the accused who confessed to the crime and led the authorities to arrest his accomplices,” he said.
According to Okoye , the offences violate Sections 228(1)(2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 228 recommends life imprisonment for anyone convicted of attempted murder.
Mrs Ighodalo was in court as a witness for the prosecution.
Chief Magistrate A.O. Awogboro granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Awogboro adjourned the case till March 18, for mention.