Witnesses identify Falae’s kidnappers

The driver of Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Ogunleye, yesterday identified Umaru Ibrahim and Babauro Kato as members of the gang that abducted the statesman in his farm a couple of weeks ago. Ogunleye, who mounted the witness box, said he could identify the two suspects because they were not wearing masks when they invaded Falae’s farm office at Ilado in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ibrahim and Kato were part of the seven suspects facing trail over Falae’s abduction in his farm on September 21. They had earlier confessed that they shared part of the N5 million ransom paid for the Afenifere chieftain’s release. Giving evidence before Justice William Olamide during the trial, Ogunleye, who was led in evidence by Mrs Sola Adeyemi-Tuki, said the two of accused could be identified because they did not wear masks during the operation and were part of those who accosted them when they were going on an errand for the Afenifere chieftain. He said: “I attempted to escape the hoodlums by reversing but unfortunately the vehicle got stuck and they caught up with us. They dragged me out of the car, beat me with sticks and cutlasses and led us to the farm office where our Oga was.” Another witness, Rufus Daramola, claimed to be with Falae in his office when the gunshots were heard and told the court he was instructed to find out what was happing outside but ran into the nearby bush for cover when he sighted the heavily armed men, shooting sporadically into the air. Daramola told the court it was difficult for him to ascertain the number of people in the gang or identify any of them. The farm manager, Bruno Akhigbodemh, said he was in the vehicle earlier hijacked by the attackers, also identified the third accused person, Usman Ibrahim, and the fifth accused person, Idris Lawal, as part of the gang. In his ruling the presiding judge, while ordering the continued detention of the accused in prison custody, adjourned further hearing till February 2, 2016.