AKURE – An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded one Emmanuel Okpara,28, and Evelyn Jonathan, 27, for allegedly kidnapping a 19-month-old girl.
The accused and others at large were arraigned for allegedly kidnapping one Bolanle Olowookere at Shagari Village in Akure on March 14 at about 7.30a.m.
Chief Magistrate Johnson Adelegan, who ordered the remand of the accused in prison, said this was to enable the court to obtain legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
The prosecutor, ASP Zakari Ibrahim, had told the court that the accused were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons while carrying out the act.
Ibrahim alleged that Okpara, who took the child to Jonathan in Bayelsa, demanded a ransom of N10 million from the family of the baby.
He also told the court that the accused unlawfully detained the baby for 10 days against the wishes of her parents.
The prosecutor further said that Okpara robbed the mother of the baby, Mrs Blessing Olowookere, of her cell phone valued at N15,000 and cash sum of N200,000.
Ibrahim said the offence was contrary to sections 6,3(1)(11)(a),7 and 1(2)(a)(b) of the Anti Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law of Ondo State, 2010 and Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision)Act Cap R11 Laws Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The court, which did not take the plea of the accused, adjourned till April 29. (NAN)
