The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court

  • Four face N3.9m theft charge at magistrates’ court

    Four men were on Tuesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly hacking an Ecobank account and stealing N3,922,799.82.

    Omotosho John Ifetayo, Adeboye Oluwatosin, Esagba Ovie Kayode, 27, and his brother Esagba Emmanuel Ayomikun, 22,  were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

    The Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (Force CIID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, said the defendants committed the offence last October 31.

    Prosecuting each police officer Morufu Animashaun alleged that they conspired and stole the cash from the bank’s offshore account through its Rapid Transfer Platform.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Ige Asemudara, applied for their bail “on the most liberal terms.”

    Read Also: Two men arraigned for ‘theft’ of N2m jewellery

    He said the defendants were ready for their trial adding that they would not abscond.

    “The defendants were earlier granted administrative bail by the police and they never jumped bail,” he said.

    According to him, the defendants had no criminal record and this is the first time they would be charged with any offence.

    “As a defence, we are undertaking that they shall attend the trial. When we open the case, the court will find merit in our case,” Asemudara added.

    Animashaun did not oppose the application but prayed the court to apply its discretion.

    Magistrate M. O. Ope-Agbe granted the defendants N10million bail with one surety each in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on September 16.

  • US returnee faces N22.6m fraud charge

    United States-based businessman, Busayo Afolami, yesterday appeared before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding two men of N22.6 million.

    Afolami, 39, was accused by the police of obtaining N22.6 million from the men on the pretext of importing vehicles for them.

    The defendant was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a six-count charge of conspiracy, threat to life and fraud.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Chinedu Njoku alleged that the defendant committed the offence in June 2013, at 1, Oba Aladejobi Street, Ikeja, Lagos and sometime in October 2013, at 53, Olugbede Street, Akowonjo, Lagos.

    He alleged that in June 2013, the defendant fraudulently obtained $35,300 (about N12.7 million) from Mr. Onipede Olatunbosun.

    According to Njoku, the defendant obtained the money from Olatunbosun under the guise of using it to buy a Lexus 350, a Honda 2010 model and a Corolla 2005 from America for him.

    Chief Magistrate Botoku granted him N5million bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

    She adjourned till April 2.

  • Alaba trader accused of destroying N2m gatehouse

    A trader at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, Chidi Chimezie, who allegedly destroyed a gatehouse valued at N2million, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Chimezie, 28, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate K. K. Awoyinka by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (Force CIID), Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, wilful damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

    Prosecuting counsel Morufu Animashaun alleged that Chimezie and his accomplices, who are on the run, committed the offence at about 5:30pm, sometime in March last year.

    The court heard that they invaded  11, Chibuzor Street, Mosafejo-Ilufe, Ojo, Lagos and destroyed a security gatehouse belonging to Osita Ezeani.

    While destroying the fence, they allegedly breached the peace, forcing residents of the area to scamper for safety, Animashaun said.

    Chimezie pleaded not guilty.

    His counsel, Gani Oyeravuegbe, E. O. Amadi and T. Y. Okeke, made an oral application for his bail.

    But Animashaun objected, saying granting him bail could jeopardise effort to arrest other suspects.

    Chief Magistrate Awoyinka granted him N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

  • Forex scam: Woman ‘dupes’ Kogi Rep of $49,800

    A woman, Amarachukwu Chineke, who allegedly obtained $49,800 (about N15, 438,000) from Kogi State lawmaker, Hon Emmanuel Egwu, under false pretences, was Monday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Chineke, 37, was arraigned by the Police Force Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Ikoyi, Lagos before Mrs Folashade Botoku on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

    Read Also:Herbalist ‘dupes’ hotel worker of N170,000

    Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh, alleged that the defendant and others at large, committed the offences on September 19, on Abraham Adesanya Street, Lekki, Lagos.

    The court heard that Chineke obtained the money from Egwu, House of Representatives member representing Idah Federal Constituency, Kogi State under false pretence that she would exchange it to its Naira equivalent of N15, 438,000.

    Mameh said: “The defendant connived with others who are yet to be found to steal the sum of $ 49,800 US Dollars, property of Honourable Emmanuel Egwu, with pretence to give him the Naira equivalent.”

    According to him, the offence contravened sections 411, 314 (3) and 287 (5) (a), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Botoku granted her bail, in the sum of N2million, with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

    The case was adjourned till December 10, for trial.

     

     

  • Court remands eight for ‘attempted murder’

    An Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, Wednesday remanded eight murder suspects in prison custody, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The suspects are: Akinmuleya Abiye, 45; Juni Yagba, 48; Yusuf Agunbiade, 21; Taiwo Omosehin, 48; Ola Omosowone, 35; Samuel Agunyebi, 28; Michael Aladetan, 40 and Okunomo Tomola, 30.

    Read Also:Appeal court dismisses suit against Fayemi’s SIEC, others

    Chief Magistrate B. I. Bakare made the order following a charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, malicious damage, unlawful assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace, brought against the men by the police.

    Before remanding the defendants, Bakare noted that the magistrate court had no jurisdiction to entertain a charge of attempted murder.

    He directed the police to apply for a remand warrant in line with Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJL) of Lagos State, 2015, following which prosecution counsel, Mr Morufu Animashaun, made an oral application pending the DPP’s advice.

    Magistrate Bakare granted his prayer and remanded the defendants till November 29.

    The police, in the temporary charge marked P/99/18, alleged that the defendants, on or about August 26, 2018, at Itun-Agan Community, Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos, conspired and attempted to kill Omoshola Segun, Lot Ikuesan and Abudu Adekunle.

    They were also alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously damaged three buildings belonging to the trio of Segun, Adekunle and Asemudara Alaba, which were valued at N47.5 million.

    The police also alleged that all the suspects unlawfully assaulted one Olorunyomi Elejuawa, and Inspector Ogundipe Oluwaseyi, who was on official duty of peace-making.

    The offences according to Animashaun, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 230(1), 230, 339, 172, 174(a) (b) and 160(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Animashaun also told the court that the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, received a petition from Segun, which alleged that the suspects and others now at large, invaded their community, Itun-Agan.

    The petition was subsequently investigated by a team led by Mr. Samuel Olukayode, a deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), following which the suspects were arrested, the prosecutor said.

  • Pastor jailed 54 months for theft

    An Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos Thursday, sentenced a self-proclaimed pastor, Abel Adewale Olukayode, to four years and six months imprisonment for stealing N984,450 from Wema Bank Plc.

    Chief Magistrate A. T. Omoyele convicted Olukayode, 58, on a three-count charge of stealing.

    Read Also:Police arraign “fake pastor” for allegedly raping a woman

    The magistrate found that he transferred the sum in tranches of N22,550, N701,900 and N260,000 through WEMA Bank’s mobile application to his First Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) accounts.

    She sentenced him to six months imprisonment on count one and two years each on counts two and three without an option of fine.

    All sentences will run concurrently, meaning Olukayode, who claimed to be a clergyman with the Apostolic Church, will spend only two years in jail.

    In the course of the trial, prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji said the convict, of 26, Sadiku Ayinla Street, Odo-Kekere in Ikorodu, committed the offence between March 5 at about 4pm and March 6, at about 7am, in 2012, with the aid of his mobile phone.

    He said: “The defendant, with the aid of his mobile phone with sim number 08034456771, stole N22, 550 through his Wema Bank account, property of WEMA Bank Plc.

    “At the same time and place with the aid of his mobile banking application, he transferred N701,900 from WEMA Bank to his GTB Bank account and N260,000 to his First Bank account, property of WEMA Bank Plc”.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 278(2) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Olukayode pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

    But a witness from WEMA Bank testified that between March 4-6, 2012, the bank’s system malfunctioned and the convict, who had only N300 in a joint account he operated with his wife, took advantage of the situation to steal.

    He stated that immediately Olukayode noticed the malfunction, he started buying airtime which accumulated to N22, 550 and thereafter transferred the other amounts to his GTB and First Bank accounts.

    The court heard that Olukayode wasn’t the only one that took advantage of the situation, but he was one of a few, who when he was approached, refused to return the money.

    When others, who took advantage of the situation, were approached, they admitted their offence and started repaying the money, the witness said.

    But Kayode told the bank that he had been praying and asking God to provide for him to enable him build his own church and the money was God’s answer to his prayers.

  • Three charged with theft of N75m cashew nuts, empty container

    Three men, who allegedly stole bags of cashew nuts, one empty container and a truck all valued at N75 million, were Thursday, brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    Yusuf Mustapha, 28, Sikiru Moshood, 41 and Abiodun Adebisi, 40, were arraigned by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) Ikoyi, Lagos, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The defendants, according to a charge marked E/49/2017, committed the offences on April 7, 2018.

    Read Also:EFCC arraigns oil marketers for alleged diversion, theft of N1.042b

    They allegedly unlawfully entered the parking yard of a firm, Mid-City International, Iponri, Lagos, and stole 320 bags of cashew nuts, valued at N40 million, one empty container, valued at N22 million and a trailer truck marked XS110 MUS, valued at N13 million.

    The total value of the stolen properties was N75m.

    Prosecution counsel Morufu Animashaun said the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 237(9)(d) and 287(9)(10) Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Ikechukwu Anima, Adekunle Rufai, and Ngozi Ibe, applied for their bail on “the most liberal terms.”

    But Animashaun opposed their prayer. He urged the court to remand the defendants in prison, because their bail “may jeopardise police efforts in getting other suspects still at large.”

    But in a Bench Ruling, Chief Magistrate K. S. Abdulsalam admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties in the like sum.
    The case continues on July 30.

  • 1004 Residents’ Association president charged with felony

    The police have arraigned the president of 1004 Residents’ Association, Victoria Island, Lagos Mr Tayo Soetan before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged felony.

    Soetan, 59, was arraigned alongside four others: second defendant Bosun Sosanya, 47, third defendant and 41year-old lawyer, Adebayo Ademiluyi, fourth defendant Friday Alika, 48, and fifth defendant Abubakar Audu, 28.

    They are standing trial before Mr W. B. Balogun on a charge marked G/13/2017 bordering on conspiracy, felony, forcible invasion and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

    The police alleged that on December 5, 2015, the defendants conspired and forcibly entered the office of Managing Director of 1004 Estate Limited, Samuel Ukpong and disrupted the smooth administration of the estate.

    They and others at large were also alleged to have conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, with intent to cause a breakdown of law and order.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor Mr. Paul Ogwuba, were contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 52, and 166(d)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the three counts

    The first defendant’s counsel Kingsley Ajogun urged the court to admit him to bail on self-recognisance.

    He said: “The first defendant was invited by the police for an interview before he was brought to court for arraignment. He is a Deputy Managing Director of Halogen Security Ltd.”

    Counsel to the other defendants, Promise Asipo, made a similar application, promising that they would not jump bail.

    Asipo said the second defendant was the Managing Director of Cashlink Limited and had been honouring police invitations. He identified the third defendant as the manager of the law firm, Adebayo Admiluyi and Co. of No. 200, Igbosere Road, Lagos.

    In a bench ruling, Chief Magistate Balogun granted only third defendant, Adebayo Ademiluyi bail on self-recognisance, “Because he can easily be apprehended if he jumps bail.”

    The court ordered the lawyer to write a letter and attach a copy of his Bar certificate, complimentary card and passport photograph.

    Balogun granted the other defendants N5million bail with two sureties in the like sum and adjourned till April 20, for trial.