Methodist priest remanded in prison custody for alledgedly faking his own kidnap

A 30-year-old Methodist priest, Rev Peter Adegoke Adewuyi has been remanded in prison custody by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court for allegedly faking his own kidnap to obtain ransom.

Also remanded in prison custody alongside the priest is a 25-year-old accomplice, Oluwadare Ajewole pending their next appearance in court on the 24th of July.

The duo, who were arrested by the Police on June 11, were arraigned for aiding, arranging and abetting kidnapping.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Monica Ikebuilo, “the offences committed by the priest and his accomplice are contrary to, and punishable under Sections 5 and 7 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law 2015”.

Read also: 16 nabbed for murder, cattle rustling in Plateau

The prosecutor also informed the court that the act was committed within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District on June 11.

Adewuyi had allegedly claimed that he was kidnapped between Ijebu Jesa in Osun State and Aramoko in Ekiti State while on a journey.

The priest was alleged to have hid in a hotel in Ado Ekiti on the pretence that he had been ‘kidnapped’, claiming that his ‘captors’ were demanding N3 million ransom from his church members and other members of the public.

Magistrate Kehinde Awosika on Monday ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending the issuance of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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