The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oba Goriola Oseni

  • We paid N15.1m to free Oniba – Witness

    We paid N15.1m to free Oniba – Witness

    • ‘Militants obtained ransom twice’

    The trial of four suspects in the kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni, commenced yesterday at a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, with a revelation from two witnesses that the abductors allegedly obtained double ransom worth N15.1million.

    First to fourth defendants Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned for the alleged offence before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on October 24.

    They are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    At the commencement of proceedings Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), who led a team of counsel for the state, obtained leave of court to exclude the public from the trial.

    In an oral application, Kazeem alleged that the defendants were likely part of a criminal enterprise and that it would serve the interest of justice as well as the safety of the witnesses for the matter to be closed to the public.

    The court granted his request despite the objections of Chief Selowei Baidi for the first and second defendants, Mr J. O. Egwuaroje for the third defendant and fourth defendant counsel, Anthony Onwueze

    Justice Taiwo ruled there was nothing prejudicial about the application and assured the defence of a fair hearing. She ordered all journalists in court to identify themselves by their official Identification cards in order to be allowed to cover the proceedings.

    Led in examination by Kazeem, Oseni, 73, testified as the first prosecution witness and narrated how at about 8pm on July 16, he was kidnapped while watching TV in a room at the palace and held in captivity for three weeks in an unknown riverine camp.

    He described his abductors – about nine in number – as shirtless, heavily armed men wearing only black trousers and said they accosted him as he went to investigate a noise from his sitting room.

    “‘This is the king,’ the gunmen said. I said, ‘what can I do for you?’ Then they grabbed me. I was putting on only a boxer short because I was preparing to take a bath. My Oloris (Queens) came in and asked them where they were taking me to but they fled when the gunmen released bullets into the decking of the room,” Oseni told the court.

    He said the gunmen dragged him out of the palace and began shooting sporadically as they left the main gate, killing his security guard and a motorcyclist in the process. They also shot at one of his Oloris, he alleged.

    “They started pushing me and shouting ‘trek, trek’, till I fell and injured my arm. My toe nail was also forcibly removed, so they carried me,” Oseni said.

    The men, he continued, took him to a speedboat where he was driven away to a riverine camp with about 50 militants. The next day he was driven in another boat to a bigger camp with six houses and more of the militants.

    He pointed at the first, second and third defendants in the dock as being part of his alleged abductors, but explained that the fourth defendant was one those that used to visit the camp.

    He said they demanded N500million ransom but his family paid N12million and then another N3.1million to younger group within the kidnappers, totalling N15.1million following which he was released.

    “At my age, the second defendant abandoned me in a boat in the middle of a stream and asked me to paddle away. I managed to paddle the boat till I got to a place where I met some women. They told me I was at Iba Express Way. They bought me a T-shirt which I wore in my boxers and that’s what I wore to the palace,” he added.

    The Oba’s son Prince Kazeem, who testified as the second prosecution witness, said he delivered both ransom money of N12m and N3.1m to the militants at a canal near Igbehinadun in Iba.

    He said they negotiated the ransom from N500m to N40m but they couldn’t raise that amount, especially after the government refused to pay any ransom.

    The militants, Kazeem added, gave him directions to the drop off point on phone after warning him not to tell anyone.

    Justice Taiwo adjourned the case till November 18, for the continuation of the trial, following a request by the prosecution for time to present more witnesses.

    The defendants and others at large were accused of conspiring to commit the alleged offences on July 16, at the traditional ruler’s palace in Iba.

    They allegedly murdered ‎a security guard, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon and a commercial motorcyclist, Joseph Okeke and also attempted to murder the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni.

    According to the charge, they also robbed Abosede of her mobile phone while armed with guns.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections ‎233, 230, 299, 297 (2) (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State C17, Vol 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • ‘Fight’ over fourth defendant stalls Oniba kidnap trial

    ‘Fight’ over fourth defendant stalls Oniba kidnap trial

    The trial of four suspects in the kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni, failed to commence Friday following a disagreement between two counsel over which of them would represent fourth defendant, Yerin Fresh.

    Fresh was arraigned on October 24, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, alongside first defendant Duba Furejo, second defendant Ododowo Isaiah and third defendant Reuben Anthony.

    They are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    On October 24, Fresh was represented by Chief Selowei Baidi, who is also the counsel to the first and second defendants, while Mr J. O Egwuaroje was the third defendant’s counsel.

    The defendants were remanded in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos following their plea of not guilty.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, Mrs E. I. Alakija, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DDP), announced her appearance for the state, while Baidi and Egwuaroje maintained appearances for the same defendants.

    But mild drama began when another lawyer, Mr Anthony Onwueze, also announced appearance for the fourth defendant, Fresh.

    Responding to a query from Justice Taiwo, Onwueze explained that he had been commissioned to represent the fourth defendant.

    “Prior to the court sitting, we approached Mr Baidi that we have a specific instruction from the fourth defendant to represent him in this matter. But Mr Baidi said his brief has not been perfected. We have a letter from the defendant authorising us to represent him,” Onwueze said.

    But Baidi confronted Onwueze with the Rules of Professional Ethics of the profession and insisted that Onwueze had not fulfilled the conditions precedent for over a brief from another lawyer.

    Baidi said: “I maintain my stand as the defence counsel for the fourth defendant. I am opposed to him taking over as counsel without compliance with Rule 29 of the Rules of Professional Ethics.”

    Following back and fourth arguments prosecution counsel Mrs Alakija observed that a dispute over proper representation in the case could be resolved in accordance with Section 234 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2011, which provides for change of counsel.

    She offered that the prosecution was willing to give counsel time to settle the matter.

    “We can give counsel time to sort out the issue of representation before the next adjournment. We still have November 11 and 14 dates for trial,” Alakija said.

    Third defendant counsel, Egwuaroje also observed that the prosecution witnesses appeared to be absent.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Taiwo said: “Both counsel are hereby advised to abide by the professional rules. Mr Onwueze should assist Chief Baidi to recover whatever fees are due to him from the fourth defendant.

    “In view of the circumstances, I would suggest that we commence trial on October 11, by which time counsel would have put their house in order. This case is hereby adjourned till November 11. Witnesses must be in court. Counsel must have resolved the issue. No bickering gentlemen.”

    The defendants were arraigned on eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery , felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    They and others at large were accused of conspiring to commit the alleged offences on July 16, at the traditional ruler’s palace in Iba.

    Apart from the kidnap of Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni, they allegedly murdered ‎a security guard, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon and a commercial motorcyclist, Joseph Okeke and also attempted to murder the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni.

    According to the charge, they also robbed Abosede of her mobile phone while armed with guns.

    The state said the offences contravened Sections ‎233, 230, 299, 297 (2) (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State C17, Vol 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Four remanded for murder, Iba king’s kidnap

    The Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, Monday remanded in prison custody four men accused of kidnapping the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni.

    The suspects, Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned yesterday before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    They are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    Prosecuting counsel, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Adeniji Kazeem SAN, told the court that the suspects and others at large conspired to commit the alleged offences on July 16, 2016.

    The offences, he alleged, occurred at the traditional ruler’s palace in Iba Town.

    The suspects were accused of murdering ‎a security guard, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon, and a commercial motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke.

    The state also alleged that the defendants attempted to murder the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni.

    “The defendants, while armed with guns, robbed Abosede of her mobile phone.

    “With intent to commit felony, they conspired ‎with others at large to kidnap Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni at the Oba’s Palace, Iba Town Lagos”, Kazeem said.

    According to the prosecutor the offences were contrary to Sections 230, ‎233, 299, 297 (2) (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State C17, Vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendants denied the charge in the presence of their counsel Chief Selowei Baidi for the first, second and fourth and Mr. J. O Eguaroje for the third.

    Following the prosecutor’s application that the defendants be remanded in prison custody and for a trial date, Justice ‎Taiwo adjourned till November 4, 11 and 18 for commencement of trial.

    ‎Speaking to newsmen afterwards, Kazeem said: “The swift commencement of the trial of the suspects in the kidnap of the Oniba is a strong signal by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that it is not business as usual for criminals. If you commit a crime, we will find you and prosecute you no matter how long it takes.”

  • Lagos set to prosecute kidnappers of Oniba

    Lagos set to prosecute kidnappers of Oniba

    ….Issues Legal Advice for arraignment of suspects

     

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday commenced moves to charge the suspected kidnappers of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni to court for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and armed robbery.

    The Government, in a statement issued by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the four suspects – Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh would be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant laws applicable to the alleged crimes committed.

    Kazeem, who has already issued legal advice for the prosecution of the suspected kidnappers, said the suspects would be charged for offences of conspiracy for kidnapping, kidnapping, and two counts charge of murder and armed robbery.

    He added that the charge would be filed expeditiously at the High Court of the State to ensure prompt prosecution of the suspects.

    It would be recalled that during the unfortunate and dastardly crime, the security guard in the Palace and a commercial Bike rider were killed, while the monarch was whisked away and kept in captivity for about three weeks.

    The sustained pressure and intelligence gathering from law enforcement agencies, however, led to the rescue of the monarch, while the four suspects were apprehended in the process.

    Besides, the Commissioner said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as part of its commitment to make the State a safe place to live and do business, will continue to support  law enforcement agencies in the investigation and apprehension of all criminals, especially those involved in heinous crime of kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

    According to him, “Governor Ambode is committed to ensure that Lagos State becomes a no-go area for criminals who target innocent citizens for kidnapping and collection of ransom.

    “My office will continually give the necessary support to the Police in apprehension, investigation and prosecution of criminals in Lagos State,” Kazeem said.

    He, however, urged residents to promptly provide information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals, assuring that government would continue to work assiduously to ensure that criminals are brought to justice.

    He also said that the State Government is desirous to prosecute to logical conclusion and promptly all criminal cases as well as ensure that suspects are brought to justice swiftly.

  • Oniba’s kidnap: Oba Akiolu tasks traditional rulers on security

    Oniba’s kidnap: Oba Akiolu tasks traditional rulers on security

    Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, Tuesday tasked his colleagues to wake up to their responsibilities and take the business of security within their various communities seriously.

    Akiolu spoke when he led other traditional rulers under the aegis of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs to the Lagos House, Ikeja, on a “thank you” visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He said the incident which led to the kidnap of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, on July 16, was a wake-up call for them, noting that the business of protecting lives and property should not be left to the security agencies alone.

    He said, “Honestly as I told my brother Obas, all of us will have to go back and rearrange our security architecture. All hands must be on deck, everyone must assist the government. That’s why in my palace, people accuse me, but I told them that well, maybe because I was a policeman.

    “It is very necessary. We are happy because the governor did very well and the commissioner of police. Al the security agencies, even the navy, they did all that they could do but we still have to be at alert. Everybody must be prepared like the motto of the Boys Scout says; we are not going to take things for granted now,” Akiolu said.

    He commended the efforts of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the security agencies in the State which led to the successful rescue of the Oba Oseni.

    He said the efforts of the security agencies, coupled with the valuable information provided by Nigerians came in handy in the investigation process.

    “First of all we should thank God almighty for sparing our lives to enable us see today and bringing one of us back home, Oba Oniba who was kidnapped.

    “We’ve come to say a big thank you to the Governor of Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, DOC 81 Division, the SSS and all other security forces and the entire Lagos state and Nigerians in general for the valuable information given to the police, which led to the successful operation which brought our colleague back,” Akiolu said.

    Akiolu also warned vandals and kidnappers to keep away from the State, saying that the security apparatus in the State has been fortified to wage war against every form of criminality anywhere in the State.

    “It is in their interest to desist and look for other legal ventures to make ends meets. The mere fact that the economy appears not to okay does not mean that you resort to criminality. They should stop, not just kidnapping, but any form of criminality, no religion accepts such. Everybody is at alert now, we are on their toes now and with the encouragement given by the Chief of Naval Staff, the NSA and the IGP they will be chased down to anywhere they are”, he said.

    Responding, the governor said that the state government after learning of the incident deployed its security intelligence to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of Oba Oseni.

    “At the initial stage, when the Oba was kidnapped, it appeared as if government was not doing anything. That was actually not the case. It was not just a sacrilege in Yorubaland, but the traditional institution was indeed desecrated. So, we needed to dig into what really happened to reach a logical conclusion,” he said.

    Ambode while commending Oba Akiolu and other members of the traditional institution in the State for the support and concern during the period, assuring them that such incident would never occur in the State again.

    “We will now pay greater attention collectively to the security of our traditional rulers. We need to increase security especially for those rulers in the riverine areas. Whatever it is that the Council of Obas must do, must be done to strengthen the security in that area, but there must be cohesion and unity amongst us.

    “Anything that will bring about peace and make the State progress is our priority and the security of lives and property has always been the priority of this government,” the governor said.