Self-acclaimed Chief, others arraigned over alleged stealing, attempted murder

A self-acclaimed Baale, Muftau Sefiu Olamiji and five other persons have been arraigned before a Lagos State Magistrates Court, Igbosere over alleged stealing and attempted murder.

The defendants were also alleged to have breached the peace at Okegun Odofin community in Ibeju Lekki, area of the state.

They were arraigned by the Nigerian Police on 10 count charges before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe on offence bordering on harassment and unlawful possession of firearms.

The prosecutor, ASP Ben Ekundayo said the defendants, Muftau sefiu Olamiji 49, alongside Ramon Babatunde Aladeseso, 37, Kabiru Kaka 59, Kolawole Salami 38, Kunle Onadipe 43, Evans Kowei 33 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 grievous life threatening injuries, which could terminate his life.

The prosecutor further told the court 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 cash worth of N7, 500 with all stolen items totaling at N10, 748,000,” the prosecutor said.

ASP Ekundayo also informed the court that the defendants damaged vehicles and properties worth of 10, 000, 000 belonging to residents while they were also alleged to have unlawfully used armed military men to harass residents of the community.

According to the prosecutor, their offence contravenes sections, 411, 350, 230, 308, 287, 174, 168 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of Nigeria, 2015 and Section 6 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2016.

Following their plea of not guilty to all counts, Magistrate Komolafe granted them bail in the sum of 200,000 each with two sureties and ordered that the two sureties must be blood relations and must present their evidence of tax payment to the state government.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 9, 2020 for mention.

Meanwhile, at the resumed of the proceedings, Magistrate Komolafe prevented journalists from covering the proceeding, ordering them out of the court despite complying with the social distance rule.

The magistrate said that she does not want to see any journalist in the vicinity of her court.