In a case that underscores the ongoing legal and societal challenges surrounding kidnapping in Nigeria, an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of two siblings, Carlos Awar (32) and Fortune Awar (30). The duo faces serious allegations for the kidnapping of 23-year-old Bisola Olanrewaju, an incident reported to have occurred on December 4, 2025, at a residence in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Kehinde Ojugbele, presented a case alleging that the defendants conspired to commit a felony—specifically, the unlawful confinement of Ms. Olanrewaju. According to the charges, they detained her in a secret location against her will, with the intent of preventing her discovery. This act of forcibly isolating a victim is a core element of the crime of kidnapping, which goes beyond mere abduction to include the deprivation of liberty for ransom, coercion, or other unlawful purposes.
The legal framework invoked in this case is critical to understanding its gravity. The defendants were charged under Sections 364(2), 365, and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.
- Section 364(2) typically deals with the offense of kidnapping, defined as unlawfully taking or enticing a person away with intent to confine them.
- Section 365 often pertains to the wrongful confinement of a person.
- Section 516 addresses the offense of conspiracy, where two or more persons agree to commit an unlawful act.
These combined charges reflect a prosecutorial strategy to address both the planning (conspiracy) and the execution (kidnapping and confinement) of the alleged crime.
During the arraignment, the defendants entered a plea of not guilty, a standard legal posture that sets the stage for a full trial. Their defense counsel, Samuel Obi, immediately applied for bail, assuring the court his clients would not abscond and would provide substantial sureties. However, Presiding Magistrate Abosede Sarumi denied bail at this initial hearing. The decision to remand the accused at the Ile-Ife Nigerian Correctional Service pending a future bail consideration is a significant judicial discretion. Courts often weigh several factors in such decisions, including the severity of the offense, the strength of the evidence, the likelihood of the defendants interfering with witnesses, and the probability that they will return for trial.
Kidnapping remains a severe issue in Nigeria, with cases ranging from financially motivated abductions to other criminal objectives. This case, now adjourned until January 12, 2026, will proceed through the Nigerian legal system, where the prosecution must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The court’s initial firm stance in denying bail highlights the seriousness with which such offenses are viewed. The coming months will reveal more details as evidence is presented and the defense mounts its case, a process that will be closely watched by a public increasingly concerned with personal security and judicial efficacy.
Reported by Dorcas Elusogbon for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
