Appeal Court affirms dethroned traditional ruler’s conviction over fake kidnap

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has affirmed the conviction of the dethroned traditional ruler of Shangisha in Magodo, Mutiu Ogundare, for faking his own abduction, however, reduced his (Ogundare) sentence to 12 years from the 15 years initially handed down by the lower court.

Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High in Ikeja had on September 27, 2022 sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment, having been charged alongside his wife, Abolanle and his brother, Opeyemi Mohammed.

The trio, it is recalled were arraigned on three counts of breach of peace and fake abduction, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government, however, the high court discharged and acquitted Abolanle, adding that she had no link to the crime.

Penpushing further reports that the dethroned royal father was, however, found guilty alongside his brother Mohammed, as charged, but dissatisfied with the judgment, Ogundare approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court.

The lead Judge, Justic Peter Bassi, on Monday when the case was called upheld the judgment of the lower court in counts one and two and overturned count three, which was agreed by other Justices on the panel which include Justice Bayero and Justice Folashade Ojo.

Penpushing reports that the judges said that the convicted deposed traditional ruler’s appeal succeeded in part and reduced his sentence to 12 years, while the court held that the appellant would serve 10 years imprisonment for count one and two years for count two.

The court on the third count, upturned the sentence of the lower court, in respect of false representation to release a kidnapped person, while it is recalled that the convict was first remanded on July 16, 2017 in Kirikiri Correctional Centre by an Ogba Magistrates’ Court for alleged fake abduction.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that Lagos State Government had argued that the convicts committed the offences on July 5, 2017, along Centre for Management Development Road, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, adding that the deposed traditional ruler staged the kidnap to blackmail the state government.

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