Chief Magistrate O. I. Adelaja (Mrs.) of an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court Monday remanded 13 armed robbery suspects, who were accused of being behind several bank robberies that rocked Lagos and Ogun States since March last year.
The men include: Clement Abanara, 42; Dennis Njoku, 30; Ebi Blessing, 28; Sunday Olotu, 33; John Sabajoh, 35; Idowu Sobijoh, 32; Ainriyemipate Joseph Wisdom, 27.
Others are: Opeyemi Balogun, 32; Olamilekan Morounkeji, 32; Ayodeji Fanimeye, 40; Mike Adebayo, 57; Monsuru Ahmed Adisa, 46; and Daniel Ukaeju, 50.
The prosecutors, Lagos State Police Command Officer-in-Charge of Legal Department, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) A. Eno-Edobor and Barrister Goddey Osuyi, informed the court that all 13 men took part in bank robberies that happened in Lagos and Ogun State from March 2015 till date.
In asking for a remand of the suspects, they informed the court that the application was pursuant to section 264(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The application was supported with a nine-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Dele Ojo Odunnayo, of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) of the Command.
The sought for a remand order of 30 days to enable the Directorate of Public Prosecution, (DPP,) issue an advice on the matter.
Attempt by the defendants’ counsels, Jasper Omomheni, for first, second and fifth defendants; Sporgeon Ataene, for third, sixth and seventh defendants; Imelda Adebambo, for twelfth and thirteenth defendants; Abikoye O. I. for ninth, tenth and eleventh defendants; and O. O. Quadri for eighth defendant, to argue for their bail was opposed by the prosecutors, who informed the court that what was before it was a remand application not a charge.
Consequently, Mrs. Adeleja, remanded all 13 men in prison custody till May 11.
She also ordered the police to duplicate the suspects’ case files and forward it to the DPP’s office for advice.
In the nine-count charge attached to the remand application, the police alleged that all the 13 suspects took part in the bank robberies that occurred in FESTAC, Ikorodu and Lekki areas of Lagos State, and Agbara in Ogun State.
It was also alleged that all the suspects on October 13, 2015, while armed with AK47s, Diamantes and other offensive weapons, robbed the 4th Avenue FESTAC branches of Diamond Bank and Access Bank of N27 million and N29 million respectively.
They were also alleged to have on June 18, 2015, while armed with same dangerous weapons robbed First Bank Plc of the sum N19 million, $3,470, and 40 Euros. And on March 12, 2015, robbed the Lekki branch of FCMB of the sum of N26, 005,664.00.
The suspects were also alleged to have on June 24, 2015 attacked and robbed the Ipakodo branch of First Bank Plc of the sum of N19 million, $2,759, and £120 Pound Sterling, and a branch of Zenith Bank Plc of the sum of N80,524,102.00.
The police further claimed that on November 19, 2015 at about 9.30am the suspects attacked the Agbara branch of Zenith bank Plc. and dispossessed it of N110 million.
They were also accused of killing three police officers who were on official duty at the Lekki branch of FCMB on March 12, 2015.
The deceased are: Inspector Bethel Agbodu; Sergeant Odehohwo and Corporal Imoisu Ikechukwu.
They were also alleged to have killed on Jane Ebere Ndirika, aged 39, and her daughter Mmesomia aged a year and two months, at the 4th Avenue FESTAC on October 1, 2015.
The offences, according to the prosecution, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 295(2) and 231: 295(2): and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
