The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arraignment of the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Grace Ogunleye, alongside three others over allegations of conspiracy and self-kidnapping.
According to the police, the suspects were brought before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti following the completion of investigations into the case.
During the court proceedings, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further hearing.
The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court that the case file had already been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice and requested that the accused persons be remanded.
Ogunleye was initially reported missing on May 20, 2026, after her vehicle was discovered abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road, leading to fears that she had been kidnapped.
However, police investigations later allegedly uncovered that the abduction claim was staged as part of a plan to raise funds to address personal financial challenges and political obligations.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged incident, describing it as unfortunate and damaging to public confidence.
He stated that the matter could undermine trust in public institutions and stressed that anyone found guilty would face the full weight of the law, regardless of their position.
