Ekiti LG Vice Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping

Ekiti LG Vice Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping

ADO-EKITI — The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Grace Ogunleye, has been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre following her arraignment before a Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges bordering on conspiracy and alleged self-kidnapping.

Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other defendants after an investigation by the Ekiti State Police Command into circumstances surrounding her reported abduction in May.

The defendants appeared before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, where the prosecution sought their remand pending further legal proceedings.

According to the prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, the police had concluded their preliminary investigation and forwarded the case file to the Ekiti State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. He subsequently urged the court to remand the accused persons while awaiting the DPP’s review and further directives.

Ruling on the application, Chief Magistrate Adeosun ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the next stage of the legal process.

The case has attracted significant public attention following the dramatic circumstances surrounding Ogunleye’s disappearance.

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The vice chairman was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly discovered abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road. Initial reports indicated that she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen shortly after leaving the Ilejemeje Local Government Secretariat.

The alleged abduction sparked concern among residents, political associates and security agencies, prompting an intensive search operation.

Days later, Ogunleye was rescued unharmed during a joint operation involving security personnel. At the time, authorities had not disclosed details of the circumstances leading to her recovery.

However, subsequent investigations by the police reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the kidnapping had been staged.

According to the Ekiti State Police Command, findings from the investigation indicated that the purported abduction was allegedly orchestrated to raise funds aimed at settling personal financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.

Speaking on the development, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the suspects were charged following what he described as a thorough investigation into the matter.

The police have yet to provide further details regarding the specific roles allegedly played by each of the defendants in the purported scheme.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, has condemned the alleged act, describing it as embarrassing and unacceptable.

Dada expressed concern over the potential impact of the incident on public confidence in government institutions and security agencies.

He warned that such actions, if proven, could undermine public trust and create unnecessary panic among citizens.

The council chairman also stressed that public office holders must be held accountable for their actions, insisting that no individual would be shielded from justice if found culpable.

The case has been adjourned pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further proceedings before the court.

The development continues to generate reactions across Ekiti State, with many residents calling for a thorough and transparent prosecution to ensure accountability and deter similar incidents in the future.

Ekiti LG Vice Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping