The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the conviction of the dethroned Baale of Shangisha, Mutiu Ogundare, who had been previously sentenced to prison for faking his own abduction. This decision follows an appeal by Ogundare against his conviction by Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, who had sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment on September 27, 2022.
Unsatisfied with the initial judgment, Ogundare sought redress at the Court of Appeal. Justice Paul Bassi, delivering the lead judgment on behalf of a three-man panel, upheld the lower court’s judgment on counts one and two, but overturned the conviction on count three.
Consequently, the appellate court reduced Ogundare’s sentence to 12 years. Justice Bassi ruled that Ogundare would serve 10 years for count one and two years for count two, with the sentence for count three—relating to false representation to release a kidnapped person—being dismissed.
The panel, which included Justice Abdullahi Bayero and Justice Folashade Ojo, unanimously agreed with Justice Bassi’s lead judgment. Ogundare had initially been remanded in Kirikiri Prison on July 16, 2017, following an order by an Ogba Magistrate’s Court after he was accused of staging his own kidnap.
He was prosecuted alongside his wife, Abolanle, and his brother, Opeyemi Mohammed, facing charges of conspiracy, breach of peace, and fake kidnapping brought against them by the Lagos State Government.
On June 15, 2022, Justice Oshodi convicted Ogundare and his brother Opeyemi Mohammed, while acquitting Abolanle, ruling that she had no connection to the offenses. In his allocutus, Ogundare’s counsel, Olarewaju Ajanaku, pleaded for leniency, stating that Ogundare had shown remorse and turned a new leaf. Similarly, Dr. Olayinka Owoeye, representing Mohammed, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, asserting that Mohammed had learned his lesson.
However, the state prosecution counsel, Jubril Kareem, argued for the strict application of the law in sentencing. Justice Oshodi, in his ruling, stated, “I have considered the allocutus of the defense counsel. However, it is the view of this court that the convicts showed no remorse during the trial. In fact, the first convict (Ogundare) tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be taught to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Justice Oshodi sentenced Ogundare and Mohammed to 10 years imprisonment for count one without the option of a fine, one year imprisonment for count two with an option of a N200,000 fine, and 15 years imprisonment for count three without the option of a fine. The sentences were to run concurrently from the date of their arrest.
Ogundare’s staged kidnap occurred on July 5, 2017. He was purportedly abducted by three men along the Centre for Management Development (CMD) Road in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area. The Baale reportedly received a phone call from individuals claiming to be developers interested in a property within his jurisdiction.
Ogundare and his brother Mohammed went to meet the callers, who persuaded them to get into their white Toyota Venza to view the land. During the drive, Mohammed noticed one of the men had a gun, raised an alarm, and was subsequently pushed out of the vehicle, while the abductors sped off with Ogundare.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Ogundare had staged the abduction to blackmail the state government. His actions led to his removal as the Baale of Shangisha by then Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode later that same month.
The appellate court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice and deterring criminal activities that undermine public trust and safety. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of such deceitful actions, highlighting the importance of integrity and accountability in leadership positions. The reduction of Ogundare’s sentence, while providing some relief, still reflects the seriousness of his actions and their impact on the community.
