A Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Wednesday remanded a 26-year-old woman, identified as Joy Esu and two men, namely Sydney Onwuka, 28 and Agubata Maxwell, 39 in Ilesa prison custody for the alleged abduction of a two-year-old boy, Abdullahi Azeez.
The three accused were arraigned on three count charges, bothering on felony, kidnapping and stealing.
The Police prosecutor, Mr Felix C. Okafor, appearing alongside the state counsel, Mr Muyiwa Ogunleye informed the court that the accused persons and others, currently at large committed the offence on February 18, 2018, at No 68, Matanmi, Oke-Baale area, Osogbo around 8.00 pm.
Okafor explained that the trio allegedly kidnapped Azeez with the intention of selling him purposely to get money, adding that they kept the little boy in a manner to prevent anyone from discovering his whereabouts.
He further contended that the offences committed by the accused were contrary to and punishable under Section 516, 371 and 364 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
However, the three accused pleaded not guilty to the three count charges, just as their defence counsel, Mr V.C Ezeji, who appeared alongside Barrister K. E Ngwoke implored the court to grant his clients bail, quoting Section 118 (2), Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 7 of the Criminal Code procedures to back his pleas.
Besides, he assured that the three suspects have credible and reliable sureties to stand for them until the end of the trial.
But, the state counsel, Muyiwa Ogunleye objected the oral bail application, arguing that it was premature to grant bail at this stage, considering the magnitude of the offences, just as he added that bail was at the discretion of the court.
Presiding Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara ruled that the defence counsel should apply formally for a bail application on behalf of his clients and subsequently ordered the remand of the accused in Ilesa prison custody. The case was adjourned to May 18, 2018 for mentioning.