The suspected traffic robbers arrested by the convoy of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Meta.
The suspects were arrested while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist in the Ojota area of the state.
The defendants — Aliu Umar, Mustapha Umar, Abubakar Laraban and Aliu Mohammed – were arraigned on Tuesday before Magistrate Adedayo Tella on three counts bordering on conspiracy, breach of public peace and possession of weapons.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the men, on July 12, 2021, around 10pm, conspired among themselves to commit the offences.
He said “The defendants conducted themselves disorderly by bearing offensive weapons and wandering on the highway in circumstances that are illegal. The defendants used offensive weapons, including two cutlasses, and in an attempt to rob a motorist around Ojota inbound Alausa, they were arrested by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
Olatunde added that the offences were punishable under sections 411, 168 (d) and (h) and 406 (1) (2), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defence counsel, A. C. Abazee, urged the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms.
Magistrate Tella admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum, adding that one of the sureties must be a blood relation and the sureties must be gainfully employed.
The matter was adjourned till August 6, 2021, for trial.
(punch)
