The court presided over by Mrs. Kehinde Awosika also remanded Adewuyi’s accomplice, Oluwadare Ajewole, pending their next appearance in court.

They were arraigned on three counts of aiding, arranging and abetting kidnapping.

Adewuyi, 30 and Ajewole, 25, were arrested by the police on June 11 after he (Adewuyi) claimed that he was kidnapped between Ijebu-Jesa and Aramoko while on a journey, which turned out to be false.

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The priest 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.

Prosecuting Inspector Monica Ikebuilo said the act was committed within the AdoEkiti Magisterial District.

Magistrate Akosile ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She adjourned the case till July 24.