A 32-year-old welder, Agwo, who was arrested while attempting to kidnap a Chinese national was on Monday remanded on the orders of a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.
The Magistrate, Mrs E.N. Ojuromi, ordered that Agwo should be kept at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at 7.30pm on October 18, at Ifako Ijaiye area of Lagos State.
He said the defendant and his accomplices, who were still at large, broke into the apartment of the complainant, Mr Shanyue Ding, and attempted to kidnap him for a ransom.
According to him, Ding raised an alarm that attracted his neighbours.
He said the accomplices took to their heels, leaving the defendant, who was apprehended by the neighbours.
Oriabure further told the court that the defendant also inflicted injuries in the complainant’s back and hands while he was attempting to tie him with a rope.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 3 and 4(c) of the Kidnapping (Prohibition) Law of Lagos State, 2017, and Section 172 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 3 stipulates 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to kidnap, Section 4(c) provides for 25 years jail term for an attempt to kidnap while Section 411 carries two years’ jail term for conspiracy.
She adjourned the case until January 13, 2020.
