The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction of Mutiu Ogundare, the dethroned Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, for faking his kidnapping.
On September 27, 2022, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High in Ikeja convicted and sentenced Ogundare to 15 years in jail.
Ogundare approached the court of appeals to contest the lower court’s verdict.
Justice Paul Bassi, who delivered the lead judgement on behalf of the three-member panel, maintained the lower court’s decision on counts one and two but overturned count three.
Justice Bassi ruled that Ogundare’s appeal was successful in part, reducing his sentence to 12 years.
The court, however, ruled that “the appellant is to serve 10 years imprisonment, for count one, and two years for count two, respectively.”
On the third count, the court overturned the sentence for false representation to free a kidnapped person.
Justices Abdullahi Bayero and Folashade Ojo also joined the panel and concurred with the lead judgement.
On July 16, 2017, an Ogba Magistrate’s Court remanded Ogundare to Kirikiri Prison for allegedly fabricating his kidnapping.
He was charged alongside his wife Abolanle and brother Opeyemi Mohammed.
They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of peace, and fake kidnapping preferred by the Lagos State Government.
On June 15, 2022, Justice Oshodi convicted Ogundare and his brother, Opeyemi Mohammed, and reserved judgement until September 27, 2022.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted Ogundare’s wife, Abolanle, claiming that she had no connection to the crimes.
Before their conviction, Ogundare’s counsel, Olarewaju Ajanaku, pleaded with the court to balance justice and mercy.
Ajanaku informed the court that the inmate had turned a new leaf and that he had not considered his conduct before committing the crime.
The second defence counsel, Dr. Olayinka Owoeye, also in his allocution, requested the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict (Mohammed) had learnt his lesson.
However, the state prosecution counsel, Jubril Kareem, urged the court to apply the provisions of the law in sentencing the convict.
In his judgement, Justice Oshodi said, “I have considered the allocution of the defence counsel. However, it is the view of this court that the convicts showed no remorse during the trial.
“In fact, the first convict (Ogundare) attempted to bribe his way out of the court. A lesson must be taught to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Ogundare and Mohammed are hereby sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for count one without an option of a fine, one year’s imprisonment on count two with an option of N200,000, and 15 years’ imprisonment for count three without an option of a fine. The sentences shall run concurrently from the day they were arrested.”
Ogundare’s kidnapping was said to have taken place on 5 July 2017. He was allegedly abducted by three men along Centre for Management Development (CMD) Road, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area.
The Baale was said to have received a phone call from alleged developers who had expressed interest in a piece of land within his domain.
The callers told the Baale where to meet them, prompting Ogundare to drive to the address with one of his brothers, Mohammed.
Upon arriving at the location, the three men persuaded the Baale and his brother to join them in their white Toyota Venza to go and see the land.
It was stated that on their way, the Baale’s brother noticed one of the men had a gun with him. He raised the alarm, and the suspected kidnapper pushed the Baale’s brother out of the vehicle and sped off with the Baale.
Ogundare later confessed to security services that he had staged the kidnapping to blackmail the state government.
In the same month, a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, ordered the removal of Ogundare as the Baale of Shangisha.