Police arraign 7 over attack on officers

Seven men were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly attacking policemen and stealing property valued at about N9.8 million.

The defendants are Aregbesola Ibrahim, 23; Usman Aliko, 39; Dada Oketayo, 37; Nurudeen Alimi, 28; Ojo Tofik, 46; Okunola Paul, 24; and Adeboye Adewale, 46.

They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault and stealing.

Police prosecutor, Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on Aug. 3, at about 10:30 p.m.

Ikhayere alleged that the defendants committed the offences within the Lagos Magisterial District.

She told the court that the defendants unlawfully attacked and seriously injured ASP Akeem Bello and other policemen while they were on duty.

According to the prosecutor, the officers were carrying out their duties at a Federal Government property in Lagos when the incident occurred.

“The defendants unlawfully attacked and seriously injured ASP Akeem Bello and other policemen while on duty,” Ikhayere said.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants assaulted one Peter Toyin and inflicted injuries on his hand during the incident.

She also alleged that the defendants stole a Bajaj motorcycle and a digital blood pressure system belonging to the complainants.

Ikhayere said the stolen items were valued at about N9.8 million, including the motorcycle valued at N1 million.

“The defendants stole one Bajaj motorcycle and a digital blood pressure system valued at about N9.8 million,” the prosecutor alleged.

She said the offences contravened Sections 174, 170, 171, 178, 296, 297 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.

The magistrate, Lateef Owolabi, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

Mr Owolabi ordered the sureties to provide evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

He also directed that the residential addresses of the sureties must be verified before the bail conditions could be perfected.

The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case until October 21 for further proceedings.

NAN