An Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, on Monday, remanded a 30-year-old Methodist priest, Rev. Peter Adewuyi, in prison custody for allegedly faking his own kidnap in order to obtain ransom.
The court also remanded Adewuyi’s accomplice, 25-year-old Oluwadare Ajewole, in prison pending their next appearance in court.
The suspects, who were arrested by the police on June 11, are facing counts of aiding, arranging and abetting kidnapping.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Monica Ikebuilo, alleged that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 5 and 7 of the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law, 2015.
The prosecutor explained that the crime was committed within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District.
Adewuyi had claimed that he was kidnapped between Ijebu-Jesa in Osun State and Aramoko in Ekiti State while embarking on a journey.
The priest allegedly hid himself in a hotel in Ado Ekiti and pretended that he had been abducted, claiming that his captors were demanding N3m as ransom from his church members and members of the public.
At Monday’s proceedings, the magistrate, Kehinde Awosika, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending the issuance of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
She subsequently adjourned the case till July 24, 2019.