Three remanded for allegedly kidnapping and selling children in Ogun

An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State on Wednesday remanded three individuals accused of kidnapping and selling three children. The defendants, Thank-God Taiwo, 35, Patience Chikezie, 54, and Folake Oluyinka, 43, face charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and human trafficking.

Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Fadairo did not take the defendants’ pleas during the hearing. Instead, she directed that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Fadairo also ordered the remand of the defendants in custody and adjourned the case until March 19 for further mention.

State Prosecutor Mr. I.A. Opayemi informed the court that the defendants, along with others still at large, allegedly committed the crimes between April 1 and December 23, 2024, at Under Bridge, Sango.

Opayemi stated that the defendants, in conspiracy with their accomplices, kidnapped three children: Kofoworola Akande, 7, Mohees Daniel, 4, and Divine Jesulayomi, 4.

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The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants sold the children for amounts of N650,000, N2.5 million, and N1.4 million, respectively.

Additionally, Taiwo is accused of killing 28-year-old Blessing Onwona by suffocating her with a cloth.

The alleged offences violate Sections 30(1) and 30(3) of the Child’s Right Act, Laws of Ogun, 2003, and are also contrary to Sections 27, 316, 371, and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The case is still under investigation, with the court awaiting legal advice from the DPP.