The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Ekiti State, Grace Ogunleye, has been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre following her arraignment on charges of conspiracy and alleged self-kidnapping.

Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti alongside three other defendants. The prosecution stated that the suspects were brought before the court after a comprehensive investigation into the allegations against them.

Prosecuting counsel, Akinwale Oriyimi, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and urged the court to remand the defendants pending further action.

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun subsequently ordered that all four defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

According to the police, Ogunleye was initially reported kidnapped on May 20 after her vehicle was discovered abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road. Early reports indicated that she was abducted by armed men shortly after leaving the council secretariat. She was later found unharmed during a joint security operation.

However, the Ekiti State Police Command later alleged, following investigation, that the incident was staged in order to raise funds to settle personal financial obligations and political commitments.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, described the allegation as embarrassing and unacceptable. He warned that the incident could undermine public confidence in government institutions and security agencies, adding that no public office holder would be shielded from accountability if found culpable.