NEWS We collected N100, 000 each to kidnap Falae – Suspects

Three people arrested in connection with the kidnap of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae yesterday admitted collecting N100.000 each out of the N5million ransom paid for his release.

Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim and Idris Lawal however denied being Boko Haram members. Leader of the eight-man gang, Abubakar Auta, was found with N823,900 in the booth of his car in Niger State. The handset used in the negotiation with the family, a motorcycle, guns, cutlasses and other weapons were also found with him.

The suspects-Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal - were yesterday brought to the Ondo State High Court presided over by Justice William Rotimi Olamide on a five count-charge including conspiracy, abduction, robbery and kidnapping.

Ibrahim and Lawal who spoke with reporters in Hausa before their arraignment said they were not Boko Haram members but were co-opted into the act by one Baba Uro who is now at large.

Ibrahim who said he was a herdsman from Katsina State admitted that eight of them including three others still at large participated in the kidnap. He said he did not know what they were to do until they got to the bush.

Five other accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Justice Olamide Williams adjourned the case to November 10 for hearing while the accused persons were remanded at the Olokuta prison in Akure.