Ex-monarch jailed 15 years for faking own kidnap

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court has jailed dethroned Baale of Shangisha, Michael Mutiu Yusuf 15 years for faking his own kidnap.

The former monarch was sentenced to prison along with one of his brothers, Adams Opeyemi Mohammed.

Meanwhile, the dethroned monarch’s wife, Abolanle was discharged of the allegation against her.

Ogundare on July 5, 2017, put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing a breach of the public peace, contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State.

Initially, the three defendants in the third count allegedly took part in the offence of fake kidnap contrary to Section 16(1) (a-d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, CH. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

The monarch was suspended after he was paraded by police alongside his brother, Mohammed. He was stripped of his duty by the Akinwunmi Ambode administration in accordance with Section 38, subsection 1 of the Obas & Chiefs Laws of Lagos Inter-alia.

Oshodi sentenced the duo to 10 years jail term for count one without an option of a fine, count two to 1 year with an option of N200,000 fine and count three to 15 years without an option of a fine.

“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 thought to serve as a deterrent to others.

“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,” Oshodi said.