A 37-year-old herbalist, Sikiru Ifashola, on Tuesday appeared in an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly kidnapping a child and demanding a ransom for her release.

Ifashola, of No. 16, Sholuyi St., Ifako Gbagada, is standing trial on a charge of kidnapping, which he pleaded not guilty to.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 12 at about 9.30 a.m., at Ogudu GRA.

He said that the accused abducted one Bose, the daughter of the complainant, Mopelola Adewunmi, and demanded N50,000 for her release.

“Ifashola had pretended to consult his oracle for the search of the missing girl and had demanded that the complainant pay him N50,000 before she could be found,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence contravened Section 271(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

NAN reports that section 271(3) prescribes a jail term of 21 years for anybody who kidnaps and demands a ransom for the release of the victim.

The Magistrate, Miss Tolu Idowu, admitted Ifashola to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Idowu said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, and adjourned the case until Aug. 2, for mention. (NAN)

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