By Rotimi Ojomoyela
ADO-EKITI — A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the remand of the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Grace Ogunleye, over her alleged involvement in a staged kidnapping incident.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun gave the order on Wednesday after Ogunleye was arraigned on multiple counts relating to the alleged self-orchestrated abduction.
The court directed that she be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the duplication of the case file and its transmission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Ogunleye was reportedly declared kidnapped on May 20, 2026, along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road, where her vehicle was later found abandoned by the roadside.
The reported abduction triggered a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, military personnel and local security operatives, before she was eventually found on May 21, 2026.
However, preliminary police investigations allegedly revealed that the incident was staged in a bid to raise money to meet financial commitments and political obligations.
The case has been adjourned pending further directives from the DPP.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged act, saying no public office holder would be shielded from justice.
He described the incident as embarrassing and capable of undermining public trust in government officials and security institutions.
