An Akure Magistrate Court, sitting in Ondo State capital, on Thursday remanded eight persons, including a woman for allegedly kidnapping two Reverend sisters along the Benin-Ijebu Ode Expressway at Kajola village in Odigbo Local Government Area of the State.
The victims, Apo Perpetual and Roseline Familade, with their driver Zwugwa Zibai were abducted on May 15, while they were traveling to Ogun State for a programme.
They spent one week in the den of their abductors before they were rescued by a team of police in the state and men of the intelligence squad sent from Abuja, by the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase.
The arraigned suspects include a couple, Reuben Akinbehinje and his wife, Abimbola.
They were charged on a seven-count charge bothering on kidnap, robbery and conspiracy, contrary to relevant laws of the state.
The prosecution led by John Olowokere, said the accused persons allegedly conspired to kidnap and rob reverend sisters, Perpetual, Familade and Zibai two months ago before they were apprehended by the police.
He noted that they were kept in the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) and could not be arraigned immediately they were apprehended because the judiciary was on strike.
Olowokere sought the court order to remand them in prison pending legal advice from the directorate of public prosecution .
In his reaction, counsel to the accused, Yemu Egbodofo, who noted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the case, however, said he would not belabour the application by the prosecution so as to fast track the matter.
The presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate Adedapo granted the application that the accused be remanded at Olokuta medium security prison.
He, therefore, adjourned the matter till August, 16 for a review of the case.
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