A self-acclaimed Baale, Muftau Sefiu Olamiji and five other persons were arraigned before Tinubu Magistrate Court in Lagos for alleged stealing, attempted murder and breach of peace at Okegun Odofin community in Ibeju Lekki, area of the state.
The defendants were docked before Magistates’ Abimbola Komolafe by the Nigerian Police on ten count charges bordering on harassment and unlawful possession of fire arms.
According to the Prosecutor, Asp Ben Ekundayo, the defendants, Muftau sefiu Olamiji, alongside Ramon Babatunde Aladeseso, Kabiru Kaka, Kolawole Salami, Kunle Onadipe, Evans Kowei and others at large were alleged to have on July 2 , 2020 at Okegun Odofin Community in Ibeju Lekki shot one Kazeem Issah on his right cheek, causing him grievious life threathenig injuries which could terminate his life.
The prosecutor further said that the defendants and others at large also did unlawfully entered into the palace of Baale of Okegun Odofin, Chief Ismaila Ogunkoya with the intent to commit felony.
“They unlawfully stole Air Conditioners, two chandelier light, one Airtel phone, office chairs, and ash worth of seven million, five hundred thousand (N7,500,00) with all stolen items totaling at ten million seven hundred and forth-eight thousand naira (N10,748,000,00).”
ASP Ekundayo also informed the court that the defendants damaged vehicles and properties worth of 10,000,000,00 belonging to residents while they were also alleged to have unlawfully use armed military men to harassed residents of the community.
The prosecutor also told the court that the offences committed by the defendants contravenes sections, 411, 350, 230, 308, 287, 174, 168 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of Nigeria, 2015 and Sec 6 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2016.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the ten count charges against them.
Following their not guilty plea, Magistrates’ Komolafe granted them bail in the sum of Two hundred thousand naira each with two surties who must be blood relations.
She also ruled that the surties must present their evidence of tax payment to the state government.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till October 9, 2020 for mention.
Meanwhile, at the reseume of the proceedings, the presiding magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe prevented the journaists from covering the procedure by ordering them out of the court.
Despite complying with the social distance rule, the magistrate averred that she does not want to see any journalist in the vicinity of her court.
