Ibadan kidnapper pleads guilty to abduction of 17-year-old UI student

...DSS arraigns suspect over abduction of teenager
...Court adjourns for presentation of facts and judgment

A 28-year-old man, David Abiodun, has pleaded guilty before the Federal High Court in Ibadan to the kidnapping of 17-year-old Divine Ayeni, a student of the University of Ibadan.

Abiodun entered his plea on Monday after being arraigned on a two-count charge of kidnapping filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Following the plea, Justice Nkeonye Maha adjourned the matter to 23 September 2025 for presentation of the case facts and sentencing. The judge also directed that Abiodun be remanded in Agodi Correctional Centre pending the adjourned date.

During the hearing, DSS counsel Mr T.A. Nurudeen informed the court that the defendant abducted the victim in Ibadan between 19 May and 5 June 2024. He told the court that the teenager was held against her will, thereby restricting her freedom and infringing on her fundamental rights.

The prosecution noted that the offences contravened Sections 24A and 30A of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Justice Maha instructed that all relevant facts be brought before the court at the next sitting before a final judgment is delivered.

As of the time of reporting, the DSS had not provided additional information regarding the conditions surrounding the abduction or the welfare of the victim at the point of rescue.