The police in Delta State have arrested a 23-year-old man, Terry Ogbonna, over an alleged plot along with his mates to kidnap his 16-year-old girlfriend and demand a N50 million ransom from her mom.
The police spokesperson within the state, Bright Edafe, a superintendent of police, disclosed the incident in a video posted on X on Saturday.
According to Mr Edafe, the incident initially sparked panic amongst residents of the property the place the lady’s mother and father dwell, as individuals reportedly rushed round making an attempt to rescue her.
However, police investigations allegedly revealed that the lady’s boyfriend was concerned within the incident.
The lady mentioned she was unaware that her boyfriend meant to kidnap her for ransom, whereas Mr Ogbonna advised the police they’d initially agreed to the plan however later modified their minds. He mentioned his mates, nevertheless, proceeded with the association after seeing the lady.
Girl recounts alleged kidnapping
During her interview with the police, the lady recognized Mr Ogbonna as her boyfriend. “He’s my boyfriend,” she advised the police.
She mentioned he got here to the property and took her to his home.
The lady additionally admitted that her boyfriend had beforehand raised the concept of faking her kidnapping to get hold of cash from her mom.
“He brought it up, and I said no.”
She mentioned she later found a ransom demand had been despatched to her mom after one in every of her boyfriend’s mates took her cellphone and he or she checked her chats.
According to her, the message demanded N50,000 from her mom for her feeding.
“After sometime, he came back, and I showed him the text message and asked, ‘What is the meaning of this?’”
When the police requested at what level the alleged kidnappers demanded N50 million, the lady mentioned she was taken to a riverside and threatened.
“They carried me to the riverside. I was close to the river, and my legs were touching water. They threatened to throw me into the river if my mother does not pay N50 million,” she mentioned.
Police say one other resident implicated
Mr Edafe mentioned the suspects allegedly tried to make one other resident of the property, recognized as Theophilus, seem to be the mastermind of the kidnapping.
Theophilus was a co-tenant within the property the place the lady’s mother and father dwell.
“This suspect knew the history of Mr Theophilus and the mother, and they set up Mr Theophilus to make it look like Mr Theophilus is the mastermind of the kidnapping. Mr Theophilus was arrested for two days before the truth eventually emerged,” the police spokesperson mentioned.
Suspect admits discussing kidnapping plan
During his interview with the police, Mr Ogbonna mentioned he and his good friend, Lucky, deliberate the kidnapping.
When requested how Lucky knew that Mr Theophilus lived in the identical property and was having points with the lady’s mom, Mr Ogbonna replied: “I told him about it.”
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He additionally advised the police that the lady stayed in his home for two days.
Mr Ogbonna mentioned he had completed secondary college. He mentioned his mom lived within the village, whereas his father lived in Asaba in Delta State.
What Nigerian legislation says about intercourse with a minor
The case additionally raises authorized questions on Mr Ogbonna’s admission that he had sexual relations with the lady, who’s 16.
During the police interview, Mr Ogbonna mentioned he started having intercourse along with his girlfriend three weeks after they began relationship “Three months ago”.
He additionally advised the police he was unaware that having intercourse with somebody beneath 18 was an offence.
Under Section 31 of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, 2003, sexual activity with a baby is an offence labeled as rape, punishable by life imprisonment upon conviction. The legislation gives {that a} youngster’s consent and the accused particular person’s perception that the kid was 18 or older don’t, by themselves, present a defence to a cost beneath that part.
If prosecuted and convicted beneath an relevant provision criminalising sexual activity with a baby, Mr Ogbonna might face a prolonged jail sentence, probably life imprisonment beneath the related child-rights provision.
The alleged kidnapping and ransom demand expose the suspects to separate prison expenses, relying on the proof and the offences established by the police.
Mr Ogbonna’s admission throughout a police interview doesn’t quantity to a courtroom conviction. The allegations have to be examined in courtroom, the place the prosecution could be required to show the related offences past cheap doubt.
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