Five men have ben arraigned by the Police before a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, land grabbing, unlawful assault and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, by the men of Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
The five men are: Temitope Alabi; Sulaimon Shomorin; Adedamola Joseph;Adewale Daudu and Nuru Alowonle.
The defendants and others now at large, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, in the charge numbered A/80/2022, conspired among themselves to commit the above stated crimes on August 23, 2022, at 34, Ferguson Osagie Street, Ayobo, Lagos State.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendants who procured armed thugs, and hoodlums and invaded land being managed by one Hassan Alli on behalf of the Soremekun’s family in Ayobo caused a Breach of Public Peace.
He further told the court that the first defendant, Temitope Alabi, assault one Hassan Alli, and caused by bodily harm, by injuring him on his toe. Adding that the unlawful acts of the defendants caused the people of Ferguson Osiage Street, Ayobo, Lagos State, it’s environs to be in apprehension of reasonable fear that a Breach of Public Peace will occur.
Animashaun told the court that the offences committed by the defendants, contravened Sections 412; 44; 173; 52 and 168 (d) of the Criminal Law Cap C17 Vol.3 Laws of Lagos State 2015. And punishable under section 168 (2) of the same law.
All the defendants however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Upon their plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date. He equally urged the to remand the defendants in Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of charges against them.
However, counsel to the defendants, S. A. Adewale, while moving his clients’ bail application, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
Magistrate A. Y. Adefope, who stood in for Magistrate A. O. Olatunbosun (Ms) admitted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties in the like sum.
Magistrate Adefope also ordered that the sureties must be residents of Lagos State, and one of them must be a blood relation with each of the defendants. And that one of them must be an employee of Lagos State government.
The Magistrate added that the sureties must provide six months statement of account, with evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government, NIN and prove of gainfully employed.
Magistrate Adefope, while adjourning the matter till September 26, for mention, ordered that the defendants be remanded in NCoS’custody till the perfection of the bail terms.