Man lands in prison for faking kidnap to collect $50,000 ransom
Ikoyi Correctional Centre
Published By: Isa Isawade
By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police at the Zone 2 Command, Lagos of the Nigeria Police have arrested Kenneth Oyeagba, 49, and dragged him before a Lagos Magistrates’ court for allegedly faking the kidnap of one Dumebi to collect the sum of $50,000 equivalent to N31,150,000 from three complaints.
Police alleged that trouble started for the defendant on 10 July 2022 at 32, Kano Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos when he allegedly connived with one other already charged to court to call the complainants, Abdulaziz Abduraheem, Solomon Olalekan Bakare and Ikemefune Jude that they had kidnapped Dumebi.
They claimed Dumebi was in their custody and that the complainants must pay the sum of $50,000 equivalent to N31,150,000 ransom before he could be released.
Police further stated that believing the defendant, the complainant allegedly paid the ransom to the defendant.
Police alleged that sensing foul play, the complainants petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos AIG Durosimi Olatoye who swiftly directed his crack team to fish out the suspects anywhere they might be hiding.
The Police team through intelligence gathering tracked the defendants and arrested them at different places.
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During the investigation, according to the Police, the Police discovered that the defendant and his accomplice already charged in court faked the alleged kidnapping to collect the ransom from the complainants.
Onyeagba was charged before the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos Island after an investigation by Supol Amos Olatomide and team on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, faking kidnapping and conducts likely to cause a breach of peace.
Police counsel, Mr Ben Ekundayo who stood in for Fransis Igbinosa told the Court in the charge marked L/16/2024 that the defendant and another already charged in court faked the kidnap of one Dumebi to collect the $50,000 from the complainants knowing full well that there was no kidnapping.
Ekundayo said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under sections 411, 314 (1a), 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and 312 (b) and sections 5 prohibition law of Lagos State and 168 (d).
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges and the Magistrate, Mr Babalola granted him N10m bail with two sureties in like sum.
Babalola adjourned the case till 17 June 2024 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till he perfected the bail conditions.
