Court Remands 10 Men Over Alleged Arson, Attempted Murder

An Ilaro Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ogun State, has remanded 10 men, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), over alleged arson, attempted murder, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The 10 men ordered to be remanded by Chief Magistrate F. A. Daudu, were; Alhaji Fatai Isiaka; Awode Oladosu; Ajibola Saliu; Jamiu Adejobi; Noah Elegbede; Akanbi Rasaq; Fatai Fadeyi; Ibeleru Suru; Obanla Bayo; Saheed Olabisi and Obeh Sulaimon.

The 10 men are to be behind the bar for the next 60 days, to enable the Ogun State Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), to issued legal advice, on the allegations made against them by the men of Monitoring Unit Section, Zone. 2 Headquarters, Onikan Lagos.

Their remand was sequel to an Exparte application filed and argued by Barrister Morufu Animashaun, who informed the court that the offences disclosed against the respondents, were felony in nature and can only be tried by way of information of the State’s High Court. Adding that the investigation had been concluded and the duplicate case file had been forwarded the to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), for issuance of legal advice and prosecution.

In urging the court to remand the defendants, Animashaun told the court that the application was pursuant to Sections 36 (7) of the Constitution Of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended) and Section 306 of the ACJL of Ogun State, 2017 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

The police in an affidavit in support of the Exparte application, deposed to by Inspector Okoye Ernest, one of the officers who investigated the alleged crimes, stated that the Assistant Inspector General of Police In-Charge Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, received a petition dated September 16, 2022, from a lawyer, Muideen Adisa, of Likeminds Solicitors, on behalf of his client, Otunba Akeem Adigun, a businessman popularly called ‘Socopao’, relating to how the defendants and others now at large conspired to commit a felonies to wit: attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to properties and conduct likely to cause a breach of the Peace.

The deponent averred that during investigating, It was discovered that on September 11, 2022, the defendants and their cohorts in a commando Style attempted to kill Otunba Akeem Adigun the petitioner and his siblings while returning back from his maternal family meeting at Isalegbodo Quarters, Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He averred that consequent upon the alleged criminal act, of the defendants further invaded the house and premises of the petitioner, Otunba Akeem Adigun, located at Adigun Ariori Castle, Ipokia road, Agosasa, in Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State, and willfully and unlawfully sets it ablaze together with his luxury cars and other valuables on September 12, 2022.

Inspector Ernest stated further that upon careful study of the petition and proper investigation, all the respondents were arrested and their respective statements were recorded under caution in English Language. Adding that investigation further revealed that the complainant was seriously attacked and injured.

He stated that there is a prima facie case of attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to property and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace have been established against the Respondents and that a charge have been preferred against the respondents for an offences.

Chief Magistrate Daudu, after listening to Animashaun’s submission and perused the application with the affidavit, written address and attached exhibits, ordered that all the respondents be remanded in the NCoS’ custody, for 60 days, for the DPP to issue a legal advice on the allegations made against them.

The Chief Magistrate thereafter adjourned the matter till December 1, 2022, for report on DPP’s advice.