A Nigerian security officer based in Germany, Adekunle Adegboyega Aderinsoye, has told a Lagos State High Court how he allegedly encountered his former girlfriend at a location where he was held after being kidnapped.
By: Ganiyu Olayinka
Aderinsoye gave the testimony before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court during the trial of a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chieftain, Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, and Toheeb Adekunle, who are facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged kidnapping.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mrs O. Aluko, the witness said he had a brief relationship with Bunmi Mosaku in Nigeria before returning to Germany.
He told the court that Mosaku later contacted him, claiming to be pregnant, prompting him to send her money to support the alleged pregnancy.
According to Aderinsoye, his suspicions arose after he asked a friend to visit Mosaku unexpectedly. He said the friend subsequently informed him that she was not pregnant, leading him to end his relationship with her and cut ties with her family.
The witness said his suspicions deepened when he was allegedly kidnapped and taken to a location where he encountered Mosaku.
He told the court that the encounter led him to suspect that she might have been connected to the alleged kidnapping. However, the testimony, as presented, did not establish that she participated in the incident.
Witness Alleges Assault, Theft and Ransom Demand
Aderinsoye further testified that his captors allegedly assaulted him, took his personal belongings, and moved him between different locations during the ordeal.
He said they took his laptop and wristwatch, obtained the personal identification number of his First Bank ATM card, and withdrew money from his account.
The witness also alleged that he was taken to an unfinished building, where his captors demanded ₦5 million for his release.
According to him, a friend eventually paid ₦500,000, after which he regained his freedom.
The court admitted photographs said to show injuries sustained by Aderinsoye during the incident as exhibits A1 to A7.
Identifying the photographs, the witness said they showed marks and injuries around his forehead and eyes, which he presented as evidence of the alleged assault.
Witness Questioned Over Defendants’ Roles
During cross-examination, Aderinsoye was questioned about the specific roles allegedly played by the defendants in the incident.
He acknowledged that he did not see the second defendant at the hotel mentioned during the proceedings or at the uncompleted building where he said he was held.
The court also heard that Aderinsoye later returned to Germany, sought medical attention for injuries he attributed to the incident and subsequently made further statements to the Nigerian police.
In a further development, the prosecution sought a subpoena to First Bank Plc, apparently in connection with evidence relevant to the proceedings.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until February 9, 2027, for further proceedings.
The allegations against the defendants remain before the court, and the trial is continuing.
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