Policemen from Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID) Headquarters, Abuja, have arraigned a man, Adeigbagbo Harrison, before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Igbosere for allegedly claiming to be a community head.

Harrison was arraigned before Chief Magistrate E. O. Ogunkanmi, on a two-count charge of false representation and conduct likely to breach public peace.

His offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 484 and 249(d) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria. Arraigning the defendant, the prosecutor, S.P Mallum, leading Mr. Morufu Animashaun, told the court that the defendant, sometime in January 2023, with intent to defraud, falsely claimed to be the Baale of Itodo community, in Eti-Osa Council of Lagos State.
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The prosecutors also told the court that the defendant’s illegal act caused a breach of public peace within the community. But the defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following the defendant’s plea of not guilty, Animashaun asked for a trial date, and urged the court to remand the defendant, pending determination of the charge.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr. Opeyemi Owolabi, urged the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms, adding that his client is a first time offender, who did not have any record of criminality.

Magistrate Ogunkanmi, in his ruling on the bail application, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with two responsible sureties.

The magistrate further ordered that one of the sureties must be a White Cap Chief in Lagos State, while the other surety must be a Level 17 officer in Lagos State government establishment.

Magistrate Ogunkanmi, therefore, ordered the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the perfection of the bail conditions and subsequently adjourned to April 24, 2023, for mention.
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