What began as a reported kidnapping of a senior local government official in Ekiti State has taken a dramatic turn. Grace Ogunleye, the vice chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, was remanded in prison after being accused of staging her own abduction to raise money for personal and political obligations.
Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday at a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti with three others on charges of conspiracy and self-kidnapping. The court ordered them held at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre while the case file is sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The prosecution counsel, Akinwale Oriyimi, told the court that the case file had been forwarded to the state Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. He urged the court to remand the defendants while awaiting the outcome of the review. Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted the request.
The story dates to May 20, when Ogunleye was declared missing after her vehicle was found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road. Initial reports said gunmen had abducted her after she left the local government secretariat, prompting a major search by security agencies. She was later rescued unharmed in a joint operation.
But the Ekiti State Police Command says its probe found evidence the kidnapping was staged to generate funds for personal financial obligations and outstanding political commitments. Spokesperson Sunday Abutu said the suspects were charged after a thorough investigation.
The development has sparked worry that false kidnapping claims could divert scarce security resources. Ilejemeje chairman Pius Dada called the act embarrassing, unfortunate and unacceptable, warning that no public office holder would be shielded from justice. The matter was adjourned pending the DPP’s advice.
