Police arraigned 9 for arson in Apapa

Tayo Afolabi |

Nine men were arraigned by the police before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attempting to set ablaze parked vehicles at Apapa.

Ejike Okere-Afor (23), Dauda Quadri (30), Sunday Yusuf (19), Samson Richard (20), Ramon Sadiq (20), Sunday Adekunle (19), Abu Hassan (25), Ibrahim Omotayo (29) and Robinson Daniel (20).

They are facing a seven-count charge bothering on conspiracy, unlawful damage, unlawful society, dangerous weapon, breach of peace and arson.

Police prosecutor Inspector Feddy Asu told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 8, 2018 at about 9:30pm at Obale Bridge, Ijora Badia, Apapa.

Asu said, “The defendants conspired together to unlawfully damage 17 commercial vehicles with registration numbers JJJ 62 XM, JOJ 243 XN, LSD 780 XC, KJA 46 XM, AJL 172 XK, XN 459 AKD, KRD 434 XF, XA 936 SR, LSD 800 XH, JJJ 257 XB, GGE 891 XK, GGE 131 XG, FKJ 895 XD, JJJ 220 XN, KSF 362 XH, KJA 409 XJ, GGE 887 XJ valued at N500,000 property of one Oladapo Oyelowo and others of Obale community”.

He added that the defendants belong to members of different cult society like Eye and Aiye group.

According to the prosecutor, the accused unlawfully have in their possession two daggers, quantity of weed suspected to be India Hemp and dangerous weapons.

The prosecutor also said that the defendants attempted to commit arson by putting petrol on parked vehicles. The offences are punishable under sections 412, 350, 43, 329, 44(9), 56 and 342(9) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015, he submitted.

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

Magistrate O. A Erinle granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety each in like sum.

The surety according to the Magistrate must furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The surety should also produce six months bank statement.

The case was subsequently adjourned till July 31, 2018.