Bus conductor in trouble for pushing policeman into gutter

Court remands teenagers in prison custody over gang violence
A 39-year-old commercial bus conductor, Chuks Odalonu, is facing charges in an Ojo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State after he allegedly pushed a policeman into a gutter. Odalonu is charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit felony, breach of peace, inflicting bodily harm, and obstruction of lawful duty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 13, 2019, at Iyana Isashi. He said the defendant obstructed the free flow of traffic without reason and refused to move after he was ordered to by one Sgt. Duyilemi Feyijumi, an officer attached to the Iyana Isashi division.

Uche alleged that the conductor refused to move his bus and pushed Sgt. Feyijumi into a nearby gutter. He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 168 (d) 174 (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate A.A. Adesanya admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case until March 4, for mention.

Meanwhile, two unemployed men, Sarafa Jinadu, 37, and Lukman Ogunshola, 38, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos accused of robbing a woman of N52,000 and a N4,000 Nokia phone. The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, robbery and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Adegoke Philip, said the defendants committed the offences on October 20, 2019 at Bariga, Lagos. He said the defendants, armed with knives, robbed Mrs. Esther Peter of her valuables.

Philip said the defendants gained entry into the complainant’s apartment at night through the window. “The defendants damaged the burglary on the window of the complaint’s room to gain entry. They pointed knives at the complainant, demanding for her phone and cash and threatening to stab her to death If she refused to comply,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said the defendants were, however, eventually arrested. The offences, he said, violate sections 287 and 296 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while section 296 attracts 21 years for robbery.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Akokhia, admitted the defendants to bail of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Also, a magistrate court in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has remanded in prison custody two teenagers, Yemisi Moses and Blessing Damilola, both 18, over their alleged involvement in cult violence. The police arraigned the two girls before the court alongside one Adebayo Adegboyega, 25, alleging that they belong to Eiye Confraternity.

Prosecuting officer, Sunday Osanyintuyi, alleged that the defendants committed the offence on December 29, 2019 at about 2:00p.m. at Orilonise, Ile-Ife. Osanyintuyi added that the defendants also had in their possession quantity of substance suspected to be Indian hemp weighing 20kg, which they were allegedly selling.

He said that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner that might cause breach of public peace,
which contravened sections 3, 4, 62(A), 63(B) and 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of possession of Indian hemp, membership of secret society and breach of public peace.

Defence counsel, Ben Adidieje, applied for the bail of his clients in most liberal term, assuring that the defendants would not jump bail. Magistrate Joseph Owolawi, however, refused them bail but ordered for their remand at Ilesa Correctional Centre pending ruling on the bail application. The case was adjourned until January 7 for further hearing.