Fourteen suspects have been arraigned by the Ondo State Security Network Agency otherwise known as Amotekun.

They were charged with  various offences ranging from kidnapping, r*pe, murder and armed robbery in the state.

The suspects, including a 72-year-old man, were arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court, on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

The septuagenarian, Basiru Mohammadu, who was a security man in a farm, and others still at large conspired to kidnap two persons including his boss.

The State Prosecutor, O.F. Akeredolu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 17, 2023, at about 6:00 pm, at Upenmen Forest, Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He also said the defendant had been a member of a kidnapping syndicate in the area.
 
The charge reads in part “That you, Mohammadu Basiru, and others now at large, on or about  November 17, 2023, at about 6:00 pm, at Upenmen Forest, Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, within the Criminal Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire with others still at large to kidnap Nelson Adeyemi and Olaoye Olaniyi “

The offence contravenes Section 2 and Section 6 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010

Based on the nature of the offences committed, Akeredolu urged the court to remand them at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the issuance of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, the defence counsel, Kehinde Osadugba prayed to the court for an adjournment to enable his client to reply to the application.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case till December 27, 2023, for a reply and ruling on the application.

Also docked was a middle-aged fashion designer, Adesoji Adebayo for allegedly r*ping an 11-year-old girl.

The prosecution counsel told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 1, 2023, at about midnight at Alhaji Camp, Idanre.

Akeredolu said the defendant r*ped the victim (name withheld) by intentionally penetrating her v*gina with his p3nis which caused injury to the girl.

The offence Section 3 (2) (c) Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2021.

Akeredolu urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for DPP advice.

Magistrate Sekoni adjourned the case till December 27 for ruling.

Similarly, a man, Ayomide Olamide was arraigned for alleged murder, armed robbery, and possession of firearms

Akeredolu told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on December 12, 2023, at Danjuma, Akure, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He alleged that the defendant conspired with others at large while armed with a dangerous weapon, and stole a motorcycle valued at N550,000, property of Jide Ofor.

Olamide was also said to have attempted to kill the victim, by attacking him with dangerous weapons leaving him  injured.

Akeredolu urged the court to remand the defendant pending advice from the DPP.

The Magistrate adjourned the ruling on his remand application till December 27, 2023.

Other defendants arraigned were Wisdom Victor for stealing a cell phone, Raphael Adeniyi for stealing mechanic equipment, Friday Samson, Babatunde Abiodun, Iroko Ojo and Ariyo Bamikole Ayuba Asiru for stealing a goat and motorcycles.