Police Drag Family to Court Over Alleged Fake Bandit Threats

Police Drag Family to Court Over Alleged Fake Bandit Threats
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges
The minors allegedly warned the complainant that she and her family would be harmed if their demands were not met

A Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has arraigned a man, his daughter and two of his grandchildren for allegedly threatening a woman and falsely presenting themselves as bandits in an attempt to extort money.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the defendants, identified as Fagbenro Olaewe, his 19-year-old daughter, Elegbede Nofisat, and two minors aged 10 and 12, were brought before the court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, threatening violence and demanding money through intimidation.

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According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on June 12, 2026, in the Olorunda area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Police alleged that the two minors used their grandfather’s mobile phone to contact a woman, Esther Lawal, introducing themselves as bandits and threatening her while demanding money.

During the court proceedings, Prosecutor ASP Lawrence Olu-Balogun told the court that Olaewe had handed his phone to his daughter to charge before the children allegedly gained access to it and made the threatening calls.

He said the minors allegedly warned the complainant that she and her family would be harmed if their demands were not met.

The prosecutor explained that Lawal immediately reported the incident to the police, who traced the phone number used in the call and subsequently arrested the suspects.

The charge sheet accused the defendants of conspiracy, threatening violence by impersonating bandits and demanding money with menace, offences said to be punishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chief Magistrate Mrs A.K. Araba granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety in like sum.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Olaewe and his daughter were remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre, while the two minors were ordered to be kept at the Juvenile Home in Asero.

The matter was adjourned until June 30, 2026, for further hearing.