BENIN CITY – A High Court in Benin, Edo State, has ordered the remand of three suspects in Police custody for 14 days over alleged conspiracy and kidnapping, while separately directing that a 17-year-old boy be remanded at the Ugbekun Remand Home for the same period over an alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl.
The orders were made in two separate motions ex-parte filed by the Police, seeking the continued detention of the suspects to facilitate further investigation and enable the relevant legal processes to be concluded.
In the alleged kidnapping case, Police Counsel, Emmanuel Ekibade, told the court that the three suspects, alongside other persons still at large, allegedly conspired to kidnap a husband and his wife on August 8, 2026, in Auchi, Edo State.
Ekibade informed the court that four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the alleged offence and subsequently remanded by the court.
According to him, information obtained from the suspects’ alleged confessional statements provided investigators with lead that resulted in the arrest of the three additional suspects in one of the northern states.
The Police Counsel further alleged that the suspects held the couple hostage and released them only after a ransom of N45 million was allegedly paid.
He told the court that the alleged offences contravened Sections 5(1) and 7(1) of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025.
Ekibade therefore urged the court to grant the Police’s application to remand the suspects in custody to enable investigators conclude the ongoing investigation and take the appropriate legal steps.
Ruling on the application, the court ordered that the three suspects be remanded in Police custody for an initial period of 14 days, pending the completion of the investigation.
In a separate matter, the court ordered that a 17-year-old boy be remanded at the Ugbekun Remand Home for 14 days over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl.
Police Counsel, Divine Dike, while moving an ex-parte motion, told the court that the alleged offence was committed in June 2026 in Benin City.
Dike informed the court that investigation into the allegation had been concluded, adding that the suspect was required to remain in custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, expressed concern over the rising incidence of rape and defilement of minors in society.
The court urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay closer attention to the welfare, safety and wellbeing of their children and wards.
Justice Momodu also stressed the need for concerted efforts by families, communities and relevant institutions to curb the growing incidence of sexual offences against minors.
The court consequently ordered that the teenager be remanded at the Ugbekun Remand Home for an initial period of 14 days, pending the report of the State Director of Public Prosecutions.
The orders were made in the course of the court’s vacation sitting.
