Magistrate alleges threat to life

ADEOLA Adebayo, the Chief Magistrate handling the trial of two children of the late Lagos business mogul Chief Abdul Rasak Olajide, has alleged that the defendants are threatening her life.

The two brothers, Suleimon and Kehinde Sanusi, who were in a tussle with their siblings over the estate of their late father, are facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and contempt of court.

The police had filed a criminal charge against the defendants sequel to a petition filed by one of the siblings against their two elder brothers.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them. Their trial initially could not proceed as the Lagos State Directorate for Public Prosecution, (DPP) had signified interest on the matter and sought adjournment pending a legal advice on the charge.

However, at the resumption of proceeding on the matter yesterday, the DPP requested for further adjournment so as to make some minor adjustments to the legal advice.

While granting the request for adjournment, magistrate Adebayo raised the alarm that the defendants were threatening her life.

She said that the two defendants had written several petitions against her and personally, forwarded the same to her residential address.

According to her, the petitions contained details of people who the defendants claimed had been visiting her home over the matter. She wondered how the defendants knew her residential address.

The magistrate further stated that she personally felt threatened by the development and warned that the duo should be held responsible if anything happens to her.

“I feel threatened by this development. I don’t know how the defendant obtained my residential address. If anything should happen to me, the world should know those to hold responsible,” she said.

She, therefore, adjourned the matter till April 29, 2015.

Over 17 years ago, the late Sanusi bequeathed his properties and companies comprising, Sanusi Brothers Nigeria Ltd, Sanusi Steels Industries Ltd, Sanusi Rubber Works Ltd, Nigeria Industries Products Agencies and Global Stars Nigeria Limited, (formerly Sambros International Limited) to about 22 of his children.

In the will prepared by late Chief F.R.A Williams were Alhaji Sanusi’s five wives, Alhaja Suwebat, Alhaja Simbiat, Alhaja Adikatu, Alhaja Rasheedat and Alhaja Musilat.