The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Ekiti State, Grace Ogunleye, has been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre over allegations that she staged her own kidnapping to raise money for personal debts and political commitments.
Ogunleye, 47, was arraigned Wednesday alongside three others before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti on charges of conspiracy and self-kidnapping. The prosecution, led by Akinwale Oriyimi, told the court the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and asked for the defendants to be remanded pending further proceedings.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted the request and ordered that Ogunleye and her co-accused be held at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre. Ekiti Police spokesperson Sunday Abutu said the arraignment followed a “thorough investigation” into the May 20 incident in which Ogunleye was reported missing after her vehicle was found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road.
Initial reports said gunmen abducted the vice-chair shortly after she left the council secretariat. She was later rescued unharmed in a joint security operation. Police, however, allege the abduction was staged to solicit funds to settle financial obligations and outstanding political debts.
Ilejemeje LGA Chairman Pius Dada condemned the alleged act, calling it “embarrassing and unacceptable.” He warned that such conduct could erode public trust in government and security agencies, and stressed that “no public office holder will be shielded from justice if found culpable.” Further hearing is expected after the DPP issues legal advice.
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