For allegedly faking his own kidnap, the Lagos State government has suspended the Baale of Shangisha in the Magodo area of the state, Chief Yusuf Ogundare indefinitely.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who approved the suspension of the traditional ruler on Thursday, said the faked kidnapping which occurred on July 5 at the Centre for Management Road in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, was a lie and intended to tarnish the image of the current administration in the state.

In a memo addressed to the Sole Administrator of the Ikosi – Isheri LCDA with reference number, OLGAS.83/S.Vol.1, dated July 13, 2017 and signed by Teslim Folami, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Governor Ambode ordered Ogundare to henceforth stop parading himself as the Baale of the community.

“I am directed to convey to you this approval by His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, of the suspension of Chief Yusuf Ogundare, Baale of Shangisha with immediate effect in accordance with Section 38, Subsection 1 of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, which states that “The governor may suspend or depose any oba or chief, whether appointed before or after commencement of this law, if he is satisfied that such suspension or deposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace and good governance,” the memo read in part.

“You are to communicate the decision to the chief to stop parading himself as the baale of Shangisha with immediate effect,” it added.

Ogundare’s suspension was approved shortly after the Lagos State Police Command paraded him alongside his younger brother, Mohammed Adams for faking the Baale’s kidnap.

Throwing more light on the alleged fake kidnap plot, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni explained that Ogundare was picked up by operatives of the Rapid Respond Squad after he was “suspiciously and hurriedly” dropped by a car in the Alausa area on July 11.

“He sold a dummy to policemen that the kidnappers dropped him but unknowing to him, it had been found out that on July 5, the day he was allegedly kidnapped in Lagos, he was seen driving around in Ibadan, Oyo state. He went to Ilorin, Kwara State and he went to Iwo, Osun State,” Owoseni said.

“And unknown to him, Adams had confessed to helping him fake the kidnap. The objective of the suspects was to falsely accuse the Oba of Shangisha as the brains behind the kidnap and embarrass the state government,” he added.

Commenting on the development, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Adeniyi Kazeem said it was saddening that the Baale could indulge in such a criminal activity which, if he is convicted, could have him sentenced  to up to 14 years imprisonment as provided in Section 5 of the Lagos State Anti-Kidnapping Law.