Unilorin Chief Imam, Oladosu, Don, 4 others docked over alleged abduction of woman, 4 kids

By Kayode Adeoti

The magistrate court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday docked the Chief Imam of University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Oladosu and a Don, Dr Ashiru Abdulsalam for allegedly abducting one Fatima Abubakar (married) and her four children.
Also docked with the duo before Magistrate Mustapha Lawal were; Tosho Abubakar Salau, Lanre Salau, Bayo Abubakar Salau and Mallam Abubakar Salau.
The direct complaint filed before the court by one Abubakar Abdulkareem through his counsel, Alayo Akanbi, revealed that the current Joint Matriculation Examination Board (JAMB)Registrar, Prof. Isa’aq Oloyede with the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Unilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali also joined in the suit.
Oloyede and Ambali were indicted for aiding and abetting the accused lecturers, students and others to delay, frustrate police investigation and prosecution in an attempt to impede the course of justice.
Others joined in the suit are: Mrs Sidikat Ashiru, Dr. Mahmud, Mr Bamigboye, Usman Ola, Tijani Abubakar, Bilikis Ashiru and one other – all standing trial for false information, kidnapping and abduction of a married woman and kids, fraudulent ceremony of illegal marriage and enticing or detaining a married woman with criminal intent contrary to sections 97, 177, 273, 386, & 389 of Penal Code Law of Kwara State.
According to the charge sheet, the victim, (Abubakar) was abducted/kidnapped alongside with her four children; Safia, Umar, Zainab and Khadijat – all Abubakars on 10th January, 2011.
The direct complain stated that the 1st accused and Imam conspired with one Bamigboye to kidnap his wife and eventually took her to an unknown destination.
“As a result of the investigation, I discovered that my wife was being unlawfully relocated to professor’s uncompleted private residence while my children were subjected to forced labour, child abuse/molestation.
The charge sheet further disclosed that the complainant was almost shot by the police when he went to the 1st accused house to demand for the release of his family.
It added that professor’s neighbour, simply identified as Alfa made false alarm to the police that he was an armed robber.
“If the detachment of the police were not competent enough that night, I would have been shot dead in error, mistakes for an armed robber. Despite arrest of the accused persons, my raped wife was hurriedly relocated to unknown place.
“Later, on routine report at the Police Headquarters Ilorin, I discovered that one Dr. Mahmud had illegally celebrated marriage ceremony in connivance with other accused persons…all efforts made to ensure the return of my family proved abortive as some police officials conspired with the accused persons to frustrate prosecution.
“Tosho, Bayo and Salau conspired to criminally deceive my wife in 2004 at my matrimonial home in Niger road, Ilorin and also compelled her to collect money…she was later drugged, raped and also subjected to diabolical attacks…I relocated her with the children to my Lagos residence… But Tosho was later sponsored to poison my wife, this led to emergency medical treatment and admission of my wife in 2004.”
At the last adjourned date, the complainant counsel had submitted before the court that if Prof. Oloyede fails to appear at the next adjourned date (October 17), he will be forced to ask court for a bench warrant of arrest.
He stressed further that appearance of an accused in court is important in criminal prosecution adding that Oloyede was served court summon but he fragrantly refused to appear.
Also, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the prosecutor objected the appearance of the defendant’s counsel, Ibrahim Abikan for Oloyede and Ambali.
He argued that Abikan is a public officer at University of Ilorin adding that as such, he can represent any party in any proceeding in court.
In his response, Abikan announced the withdrawal of his appearance and the court ruled that he’s no longer representing Oloyede and Ambali in the suit.
The court further implored the two parties to seek alternative dispute resolution adding that litigation cannot address the matter.
Magistrate Lawal however adjourned the matter to  November 8, 2017 for further mention.