A herder, Ali Ibrahim, has been arraigned by the Ondo State Security Outfit, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, before an Akure Magistrate court, over allegations bordering on kidnapping and armed robbery.

The defendant is standing trial on five counts bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, and armed robbery.

The state counsel, P.O. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences on November 19, 2023, at about 8:pm at Kasimula farmland, Ogbese, in Ondo State.

Nwafor said while fully armed, the defendant attempted to kidnap one Godwin Joseph, when he stopped his motorcycle, led him to a bush and tied his hands and legs.

She alleged that the defendant robbed the victim of the sum of N18,000 and his Qlink model motorcycle.

The defendant on the same date and place was said to have also attempted to kidnap a woman, Cecilia Joseph, by stopping and robbing her of the sum of N28,750 and her two phones valued at N20,000.

The offences contravene Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006, and Section 4 of the Ondo State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.
 
It was also said to be contrary to Section 1 (1) and (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Vol. 1A, LFN, 2004.

The prosecutor applied for the remand of the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).

The defence counsel, O. Adedire prayed the court for an adjournment to enable her to file a counter affidavit to the application.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the defendant be taken to the Olokuta Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till January 15, 2024, for ruling on the application.