2 remanded over alleged plot to kidnap Kwara South Senatorial chair, Jimoh Balogun

By Kayode Adeoti

The magistrate court, sitting in Ilorin the Kwara State capital has remanded one Alhaja Idowu Samad and Abdulalam Muhammed over the alleged plan to kidnap the Kwara South Senatorial chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun.

The First Information Report (FIR) revealed that Balogun received information through one Sunday Francis of Adewole Barracks in Ilorin that the first accused, Samad is mapping out plans for his kidnap.

Investigation carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligent Department (CIID), Police Headquarters, Ilorin buttressed that sometimes in June, Samad of No. 52, Balogun Street, Airport area, Ilorin recruited one Abdulsalam Mohammed to kidnap the complainant.

It was also alleged that the accused conspired with her cohort, Muhammed of No 75 Alfa Yahaya area of the state capital who was said to be a dismissed soldier to carry out the operations.

Police findings further revealed that Samad has secured a building at Eiyenkorin village where she intend to keep Balogun during the period of negotiations.

According to the FIR, a ransom of about N50million will be demanded from Balogun relatives to secure his release.

But the plan to kidnap the complainant was however exposed by Francis whom was approached by the accused to make use of his service pistol for the operation.

The two accused persons were dragged before magistrate Olawoyin on the offences of ‘Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted kidnapping contrary to section 2&3 of Kwara State prohibition of kidnapping law 2010’

The State prosecutor, Jubril Al-Hassan however urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

He further premised his reason on the basis that the last accused person is still at large adding the bail of the two accused persons in court might jettison police investigation.

On his part, the accused persons counsel, Barr. Toyin Oloolapo prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor.

Oloolapo maintained that his clients were still Innocent of the alleged office nice until proved otherwise by the court.

He added that they still have the right to enjoy their fundamental human rights as Nigeria citizens.

Magistrate Olawoyin who ceded to the submission of the prosecutor however remanded the accused persons in prison custody while the matter was adjourned to 15th August, 2018.