The Ikeja Division of the Lagos High Court on Tuesday sentenced Mutiu Ogundare, a dethroned baale (chief) in Shangisha, Magodo area of Lagos, to 15 years’ imprisonment for faking his own kidnap.

The court had, on June 15, discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Mr Ogundare’s wife, Abolanle.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi had convicted Mr Ogundare and his brother, Opeyemi Mohammed, on three counts bordering on conspiracy and fake abduction.

“I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsels. However, it is in the view of this court that the defendants showed no remorse during the trial. In fact, the first defendant tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be taught to serve as a deterrent to others,” said Mr Oshodi. 

He added, “The defendants are hereby sentenced to 10 years for count one without an option of fine, one year to count two with an option of N200,000 and 15 years to count three without an option of fine. The sentencing shall run concurrently from the day they had been arrested.” 

Olarewaju Ajanaku, who represented the first defence counsel, Muniz Banire, in his allocutus on June 15, prayed to the court to temper justice with mercy.

Mr Ajanaku said the convict had turned a new leaf and did not consider his actions when he committed the offences.

The second defence counsel, Olayinka Owoeye, also in his allocutus, had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict had learnt his lessons.

However, the state prosecutor, Jubril Kareem, urged the court to apply the law provisions to sentence the convict.

According to the prosecution, the defendants committed the offence on July 5, 2017.

The prosecution said Mr Ogundare put himself forward to be kidnapped to cause a breach of the public peace, adding that his brother and wife aided in the crime.

Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, in July 2017, ordered the removal of Mr Ogundare as the baale of Shangisha for staging his abduction.

(NAN)