The Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba has ordered the remand of four ex-convicts at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for alleged armed robbery, impersonation and kidnapping.

The defendants, Rasaq Oyinlola, Olushola Adepetu, Moruf Yusuf, and Isreal Emenoge, were on Friday arraigned before Magistrate O. Y. Adefope on seven counts bothering on conspiracy, armed rob¬bery, impersonation and kidnapping.

They were arrested by policemen attached to the Shagamu Road Police Division for kidnapping three persons, stealing a Lexus saloon car, and one of them, impersonating a General in the Nigerian Army.

The prosecutor, Magaji Haruna, told the court that the ex-convicts conspired to commit the offences.

The prosecutor said the defendants allegedly kidnapped 61-year-old Ekunola Iyabo in the Ikorodu area of the state and collected N5.7m as ransom.

He added that they also kidnapped 46-year-old Olayinka Akin and collected N10m as ransom, as well as 28-year-old Femi Joseph and collected N400,000 ransom.

The charges read in part, “That you Rasaq Oyinlola, Olushola Adepetu, Moruf Yusuf, and Isreal and others now at large on October 11, 2022, around 7.30 pm at No 90 Idiroko Bus Stop, Ijede Road, Ikorodu area of Lagos, in the Lagos State Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: armed robbery and kidnapping thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 299 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.”

Meanwhile, the defendant’s pleas were not taken.

Haruna asked the court to remand the defendants.

Magistrate Adefope remanded them in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecution.

The magistrate adjourned the case till April 28, 2023.

(Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH)

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