3 Sisters Kidnap Brother To Sell Dad’s Houses

Three sisters of the same parents have been charged before the Oshodi Magistrate’s Court for allegedly kidnapping their brother in order to sell their late father’s three houses at Oshodi, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The sisters, Olayide, Adetokunbo and Oluwatoyin were alleged to have kidnapped Adewunmi Matiluko, tortured and forced him to sign an undertaking to give them powers to sell the houses on behalf of their family and share the money.

They succeeded in abdudcting Adewunmi but they did not succeed in selling the houses because their younger brother, Olayiwola, alerted the police who quickly intervened and got Adewumi released from his abductors.

Trouble started for Adewumi when his sisters told him of their desire to sell their father’s houses at 11 and 13 Akinpelu Street, and at 4, Olowojobe Street, all located at Oshodi, Lagos.

Adewumi said his sisters told him that they have people who wanted to buy the houses for N55 million and wanted him to cooperate with them.

Adewumi said he told them that he cannot be part of the conspiracy to sell the property because their parents were buried in those houses, saying if such decision must be taken, members of the family must be aware and be involved.

He said when he observed their desperation to sell the houses, he wrote on the walls of the houses that they were not for sale, warning the public to beware of 419.

He said that his action did not go down well with them and they insisted that the houses must be sold. He explained further that it was after this that they kidnapped and locked him up in a place.

In her statement to the police, the eldest of the three sisters, Olayide, denied that Adewunmi was kidnapped, adding that as members of the family, they have every right to the property.

She admitted that Adewunmi was actually taken to a place where they attempted to persuade him to agree to sell the houses.

She could not explain how Adewunmi sustained injuries all over his body.

Meanwhile, the three sisters have been arraigned before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, abduction and assault, offences punishable under sections 364 and 355 of the Criminal Code, 2003.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Osho Adebiyi, has adjourned the matter till 16 May, 2011 for continuation of trial.

—Cyriacus Izuekwe