In a major development, the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of Ayomide Adeleye, who confessed to the brutal kidnapping and murder of 21-year-old Christianah Idowu. Adeleye has been placed in the Lagos Correctional Facility, Kirikiri, while awaiting further court proceedings.

Presiding Magistrate Seyi Omodara delivered the ruling after Adeleye was arraigned on charges of kidnapping and murder. The police brought forth a two-count charge, accusing Adeleye of violating the Kidnapping Prohibition Law of 2017 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015).

Gruesome Crime Detailed in Court Charges

The charges reveal the chilling details of the crime. According to the court documents:

  • On August 19, 2024, Adeleye lured Christianah Idowu to a shop outside his father’s house on Ajumuti Street, Ikorodu. After holding her hostage, he extorted a ransom of ₦360,000 from her family under the false promise of her release. This action constitutes an offense under Section 2 of the Lagos State Kidnapping Prohibition Law.
  • The second charge states that Adeleye killed Idowu and buried her in a shallow grave within his father’s compound, a crime punishable under Section 223 of the Lagos Criminal Law.

Foster Mother Testifies, Court Awaits Further Legal Advice

Rita Ozobia, the foster mother of the victim, appeared in court to recount her tragic encounter with Adeleye. She shared how the ransom demands were made and how she later discovered that her daughter had been murdered.

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As investigations continue, Magistrate Omodara ordered the police to preserve Adeleye’s confession on a CD and prepare the case file for the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). The case is expected to be transferred to a State High Court once the DPP offers its recommendations.

Ongoing Investigation: Adeleye’s Potential Involvement in Other Crimes

Although Adeleye confessed to Idowu’s murder, the investigation is still active. Police sources revealed they found additional bones in Adeleye’s compound, initially believed to be human, but forensic analysis identified them as animal remains. Authorities are now probing whether Adeleye may have had accomplices or links to other crimes.

Despite confessing to the murder of Idowu, Adeleye maintains that the killing was not premeditated. Investigators are reviewing conflicting statements Adeleye made on social media and to the police regarding the death of his sister.