Three out of five suspected kidnappers of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae, Umaru Ibrahim and Idris Lawal and one other yesterday,confessed to receiving N100,000 each out of the N5 million paid for the ransom of the Afenifere Chieftain.
One of their leaders , Abubakar Auta, who served as the middle man, was arrested with the sum of N823, 093.
The trio confessed that the remaining money was carted away by their leader, identified as Baba Uro, who is now at large.
Ibrahim and Lawal, who spoke with journalists before their arraignment before Justice William Rotimi Olamide of the Ondo state High Court in Akure, said they were not Boko-Haram members but were co-opted by a suspect who is now at large.
They were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on procuring or counselling another for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar Auta was arrested In Niger State , Idris Lawan in Ekiti, Umar Ibrahim in Ondo, while Masahudu Muhammed and Bello Tanu were arrested in Ekiti state.
However, when the charges were read to the suspects, they all pleaded not guilty.
The charges slammed on the suspects read thus: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division, did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.”
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed ,Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnap Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery”.
“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, 21st September, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division, did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.”
The offence, according to the prosecution, are contrary to section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,respectively.
The duo and others incuding , Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Masahudu Muhammed were however remanded at Olukuta prison by Justice William Rotimi Olamide.
He therefore adjourned the case till 10th of November, 2015.
