The Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ogba has adjourned further hearing in the case of attempted kidnap of a businessman, Akin Doherty, till April 27, 2021.

Doherty allegedly escaped being abducted from an estate on Victoria Island, Lagos, by three men, who allegedly claimed to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was gathered that the suspects, Babatunde Oyesanmi, Austine Ofuani and David Olusoji, stormed the estate to abduct Doherty on the pretext that he was being arrested for an undisclosed offence.

That when residents of the estate approached the suspects to find out why they invaded the estate without an arrest warrant or invite Doherty to their office, they hurriedly left.

It was gathered that the suspects confessed to have posed as EFCC operatives to abduct Doherty after they were arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

The suspects were subsequently charged with conspiracy, impersonation and fraud.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, E. Kubeinje, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each and adjourned the matter for trial.

However, further hearing could not hold on the adjourned date as the court did not sit due to the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the state government.

The matter was thereafter adjourned till April 27, 2021.