The vice chairman of Ilejemeje local government area of Ekiti State, Grace Ogunleye, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on charges of conspiracy and self-kidnapping. She was subsequently remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre.
Ogunleye was declared kidnapped on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road.
Initial reports suggested she had been abducted by gunmen shortly after leaving the council secretariat.
She was later rescued unharmed in a joint operation by security operatives.
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However, police investigations subsequently alleged that the abduction was staged to raise funds to settle her financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.
Sunday Abutu, Ekiti police spokesperson, said the suspects were arraigned after a thorough investigation into the allegations against them.
Akinwale Oriyimi, the prosecutor, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the state’s director of public prosecutions for legal advice and requested the remand of the accused.
Abayomi Adeosun, the chief magistrate, subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Pius Dada, the chairman of Ilejemeje LGA, condemned the alleged act, describing it as embarrassing and unacceptable.
Dada warned that the development could erode public trust in government officials and security agencies, adding that no public office holder would be shielded from justice if found culpable.