Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has turned down the bail application filed by kidnap suspect, Gidado Mohammed for conspiring with one Usman Adamu and Idrissa Adamu to kidnap a transport worker, Abubakar Ahmadu.
The suspect was arrested by the State Security Service, SSS, following an alleged connivance with the Sarkin Fulani of Kwara State and brother, Usman Adamu and Idrissa Adamu respectively to abduct the complainant.
The Sarkin Fulani of Kambi was said to have helped the kidnap kingpin, Usman Adamu collected a sum of N1,000,000 from the family of the victim as ransom at his residence at Kambi.
Arguing earlier, counsel to the Gidado, Mr. Kamaldeen said that there was no substantial evidence to prove the allegation of conspiracy against the second defendant, Gidado Mohammed, further claiming that his statement was obtained in contravention of section 33, Subsection 123 of the Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Akande Idowu, in his reaction, prayed the court to disregard the defence’s submission, saying the suspects were in agreement to commit the offence as he maintained that conspiracy is a distinct offence. He thereby referred the court to page 246, Paragraph C-E of the Kwara State ACJA .
He, however, clarified that the defendant’s statement is admissible because it was taken with the consent of a legal counsel, noting that the issue of forcefulness does not arise.
The judge afterwards adjourned the case till 30th of November, 2023.