Popular Ibadan Cleric, Taofeek Akewugbagold Withdraws Lawsuit Against Two Former Workers Who Kidnapped His Twins

By Msyosi Last updated Mar 23, 2021

Popular Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold has withdrawn lawsuit he filed against two suspected abductors of his twin children.

In April 2020, the cleric’s twins aged two years and four months – a male and female – were kidnapped from at their residence in Ojoo area of Ibadan on April 17, 2020.

Akewugbagold, who hails from Oyo West Local Government, was chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) during the two-term tenure of the immediate late past Governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

The twins, whose mother waited 12 years after marriage before she gave birth to them, were released after the abductors collected N4million in ransom.

Police investigation led to the arrest of six suspects, with two of them being workers of the cleric.

The suspects are Ridwan Taiwo, aged 30; Rafiu Mutiu, 35; Olumide Ajala, 36, Rafiu Modinat, Female, aged 29; Bashiru Mohammed, 33, and Opeyemi Oyeleye, 25.

Shortly after their arrest, the cleric instituted a lawsuit at the Oyo state High court against the suspects.

At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, March 23, Akewugbagold told the court that he had forgiven the suspects and wanted the suit struck out.

He approached Justice Moshood Abass of Oyo State High Court to seek the withdrawal of the suit, saying;

Forgiveness is one of the pillars of my religion and I therefore decided to follow the dictate of the Qur’an.

I decided to take the decision because I preach forgiveness which is one of the pillars of Islam. I am happy I have seen my twins unhurt but my friends who kidnapped them will need to sign an undertaking that nothing will happen to my family.

When the judge asked if the cleric took the decision under duress, he said;

No. I took the decision because of my trust in God and forgiveness as one of our religion (sic).

Reacting to his application, Justice Abass said he was not bound by the demand of the plaintiff to release the criminals since the crime was committed against the state.

The judge who invited parents of the suspected criminals to face the crowd in the court said the parents have created problem for the society for not taking good care of their children after birth.

He said;

Thank God those children were not hurt. I could have sentenced you to death. Do you pray for your children to be kidnapped? As for you parents, your children have brought shame to you and your entire family. Did you train them in the ways of God?

Justice Abass, therefore, reserve judgement till March 24.