Lagos Traditional Ruler Bags 15 Years For False Kidnap Claim

Mojisola Lawal

A traditional ruler in Shangisha, Magodo, Lagos, High Chief Mutiu Ogundare has been sentenced to fifteen years jail term by a Lagos State High Court.

Ogundare who had earlier been dethroned was convicted for raising false alarm over his kidnap and misleading the court and the general public.

The court had on June 15 discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Ogundare’s wife, Abolanle that she had no link to the offences.
On June 15, Justice Hakeem Oshodi convicted Ogundare alongside his brother Opeyemi Mohammed on a three-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and fake kidnapping.
Justice Oshodi sentenced the duo to 10 years jail term for count one without an option of fine, count two to 1 year with an option of N200,000 fine and 15 years for count three without an option of fine.
“I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsels. However, it is in the view of this court that the defendants showed no remorse during the trial.

“In fact, the first defendant tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be thought to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The defendants are hereby sentenced to 10 years to count one without an option of fine, one year to count two with an option of N200,000 and 15 years to count three without an option of fine.
“The sentencing shall run concurrently from the day they had been arrested,” Oshodi said.
Mr Olarewaju Ajanaku who represented the first defence counsel, Dr. Muniz Banire, in his allocutus on June 15 prayed the court to temper Justice with mercy.
Ajanaku had prayed to the court that the convict had turned a new leaf and he did not think through his action when he committed the offences.
The second defence counsel, Dr. Olayinka Owoeye, also in his allocutus had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy adding that the convict had learnt his lessons.
The state prosecutor, Mr Jubril Kareem, however, urged the court to apply the provisions of law to sentence the convict.

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