A 25-year-old man, Babuga Muhammadu, was remanded at a correctional facility in Ibadan on Friday by an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court. He faces charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping. Magistrate Mrs. Kausarat Ayofe, citing lack of jurisdiction, did not allow Muhammadu to enter a plea, as his address was not provided. She ordered the police to forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and adjourned the case until February 13 for further mention.

Prosecutor Insp. Toyin Ibrahim informed the court that Muhammadu, along with others still at large, committed the crimes on September 5 in Saki, Oyo State. Ibrahim stated that the accused, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, attacked Muhammadu Sanni, stole his phone, and subsequently kidnapped him. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5 million from Sanni’s family, releasing him after three days.

The charges against Muhammadu violate Section 516 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Laws of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 4(2) of the Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law, 2016.