By Guardian
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja , yesterday, fixed May 17, for judgment in a fake kidnapping suit involving the dethroned Monarch, Mutiu Michael Yusuf Ogundare, the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, his wife and brother.
Baale Ogundare, his wife, Abolanle and one of his brothers, Adams Opeyemi Mohammed were arraigned for alleged fake kidnapping and breach of public peace.
The court had fixed yesterday for judgment, but Justice Oshodi further adjourned till May 17 due to the absence of the second defendant, Mohammed over ill health.
At the resumed proceeding, the second defendant’s (Mohammed) counsel, Dr. Yinka Owoeye told the court that his client couldn’t make it due to ill health.
Owoeye, who apologised for the absence of his client, told the court that he has filed a medical report, noting that his client suffered high blood pressure.
He prayed the court for a short adjournment, stressing that his client had not been absent in court during trial. Counsel to Ogundare, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku as well as the prosecution counsel, Mr. Jubrin Kareem did not oppose his request.
Justice Oshodi, who said the judgment was ready, adjourned the matter based on the provisions of amended section 235 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2015 for all parties to be present. He therefore fixed May 17 for judgment.
Ogundare allegedly on July 5, 2017, “put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing a breach of public peace”, contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State.
The three defendants in the third count allegedly took part in the offence of fake kidnap contrary to Section 16(1)(a-d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, CH. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The Governor of Lagos State sometime in July 2017 ordered the immediate removal of the monarch as the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo Lagos for allegedly staging his own abduction.
The monarch was suspended after he was paraded by police alongside his brother, Mohammed. He was stripped off his duty by the Akinwunmi Ambode administration in accordance with section 38, subsection 1 of the Obas & Chiefs Laws of Lagos Inter-alia.
They were arraigned before Magistrate T. Akanni sitting in Ogba Magistrates Court, Ikeja and were later granted bail. but remanded in Kirikiri Maximum prison until they met their bail conditions.