A 24 year-old man tailor, Sunday Odeyemi, was on Wednesday, arraigned before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos,for allegedly threatening voters during the last presidential election with an Alsatian dog.
Sunday,according to the prosecution, committed the offence at Jimoh Bus stop, Akowonjo-Egbeda, Lagos, last Saturday , and caused a breach of peace by loitering around and using his dog to intimidate people at a polling unit in the area.
He was also alleged to have acted in a manner likely to cause harm or endanger human life by using his dog called “Prince” to distrupt proceedings at the polling unit.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the two count charge.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Cousin Adams, told the court that the defendant’s action constituted an offence punishable under Sections 166(d)(h) and 249(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The defence counsel, Mr. Spurgeon Ataene, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms and pleaded with the court to release the dog, as it posed no threat to anyone.
Before admitting the accused to bail, the magistrate asked the police why the dog was not charged along with its owner. She however ordered that the dog be discharged and handed over to relatives of the accused rwho were in court.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. O. Tanimola, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000.00, with one surety in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till April 23, for mention