The Baale (local ruler) of Shangisha in Magodo area of Lagos State, Yusuf Ogundare, has been arrested for faking his kidnap.
Consequently, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered his immediate suspension as Baale, even as he (Ogundare) risks prosecution by the government upon the completion of investigations into the case by the Lagos State police command.
Ogundare allegedly faked his kidnap on July 5 along Center for Management Development (CMD) Road in Ikosi-Isheri area of the state.
In a memo with reference number OLGAS.83/S./Vol.1 dated July 13, 2017 addressed to the sole administrator of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA and signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Teslim Folami, Ambode directed Ogundare to stop parading himself henceforth as the Baale of the community till further notice.
According to the memo, Folami said: “I am directed to convey the approval of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the suspension of Chief Yusuf Ogundare, Baale of Shangisha with immediate effect in accordance with Section 38 subsection 1 of the Obas and Chiefs Laws of Lagos State which states that “the Governor may suspend or depose any Oba or chief whether appointed or after commencement of this law, if he is satisfied that such suspension of disposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace and good government.
“You are to communicate the decision to the chieftain to stop parading himself as Baale of Shangisha with immediate effect,” Folami said.
Ogundare’s suspension was approved by the governor moments after the Lagos State Police Command paraded him alongside his younger brother, Mohammed Adams for conspiring to fake the alleged kidnap.
Adams, on the fateful day, reported the alleged kidnap incidence to the police.
Speaking while parading the two suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the command on July 5 received the report of Ogundare’s alleged kidnap, and immediately swung into action in collaboration with other security agencies especially the Department of State Service (DSS).
Owoseni said luck however ran out on Ogundare when he was apprehended by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Alausa area of the state on July 11 after he was dropped in a suspicious manner by a car which sped off immediately.
Giving details of how Ogundare was apprehended, Owoseni said: “On July 11 at about 10pm, a team of RRS patrol officers working around Alausa had sighted a vehicle drop a male adult in a suspicious manner close by Shoprite along the Secretariat road. The speed with which that car drove off attracted them to that spot and fortunately before they got to the spot, the car had taken off and a quick enquiry revealed that it was the Baale that was allegedly kidnapped.
JOSHUA BASSEY
