By Onozure Dania

The trial of the four suspects in the alleged kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni, commenced yesterday before a Lagos State High Court, sitting in Igbosere, with the revelation from two witnesses that the abductors obtained two ransoms worth N15.1million. The defendants, Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned on October 24, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on an eight-counts charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping.

During the court proceedings the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem SAN, made an oral application that the trial should be held in camera to ensure the safety of the witnesses who will testify. He argued that the matter was a sensible one that has to do with kidnapping and murder and therefore urged the court to allow only the parties in the matter, lawyers and journalists to hear the testimony of the witnesses.

However all the counsel to the accused objected the application stating that the application made by Mr Kazeem was prejudicial against their clients as they are entitled to fair hearing. They therefore insisted that the trial should be done in the open.

After listening to the submissions of the counsel, the judge held that the court has the power to exclude the public from the trial adding that there is nothing prejudicial about the application. While assuring the defence counsel of fair hearing in the matter, the judge then granted the application.

While granting the application, she said that all journalists in the court should identify themselves with their official Identification card. ‎

Oseni, 73, who testified as the first prosecution witness was led in evidence by Kazeem.

The Monarch said that at about 8pm on July 16, he was kidnapped while watching TV in a room at the palace and was held in captivity for three weeks in an unknown camp.

He described his abductors who were about nine in number as shirtless, heavily armed men wearing only black trousers and said they met him when he went to investigate a noise from his sitting room.

The gunmen said, “‘this is the king”, and I asked them, ”what can I do for you?” Then they grabbed me. I was putting on only a boxer short because I was preparing to take my bath. My Oloris (Queens) came in and asked them where they were taking me to but they fled when the gunmen released bullets into the decking of the room,” Oseni said.

He said the gunmen dragged him out of the palace and began shooting sporadically as they left the main gate killing his security guard and a motorcyclist in the process and also shot at one of his Oloris.

“They started pushing me and shouting ‘trek, trek’, till I fell and injured my arm. My toe nail was also forcibly removed, so they carried me,” Oseni said.

He, further stated that the defendants took him to a speedboat where he was driven away to a riverine camp with about 50 militants. The next day he was driven in another boat to a bigger camp with six houses and more of the militants.

He pointed at the first, second and third defendants in the dock as being among his abductors, but explained that the fourth defendant was one of those who came to visit him in the camp.

According to him they demanded the sum of N500million ransom but his family paid N12million and then another N3.1million to another group of the kidnappers, totalling N15.1million after which he was released.

He said that on the day he was released on August 6, the second accused paddled his canoe ‎to a point and then gave him a bamboo paddle to find himself back to Iba Town while the accused joined another boat that was behind him. He further explained that after paddling the boat for some time, he started hearing the sound of vehicles and he then managed to get out of the boat.

Oseni also said that after he got out of the boat, he saw some women and asked them where he was and they told him he was at Iba. “I then asked one of the women how long she has lived at Iba, she said 19 years. I asked them if they had seen their king who was kidnapped and they said no that they were still looking for him. I then told them that I was the one. Immediately they got me a Tee- Shirt to wear because I was only putting on a boxer, and then helped me to my palace.” he stated.

The Oba’s son Prince Kazeem, who testified as the second prosecution witness, said he delivered both ransom money of N12million and N3.1million to the militants at a canal near Igbehinadun in Iba.

He said they negotiated the ransom from N500million to N40million but they couldn’t raise that amount, especially after the government refused to pay any ransom.

The militants, he added, gave him directions on phone where to drop it after warning him not to tell anyone and that he should wear a face cap and ride on a motocycle.

The case has been adjourned till November 18, for continuation of trial.