Police Arraign Ex-Lagos Speaker For Allegedly Aiding Escape Of Murder Suspect
The police in Lagos on Tuesday docked a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi before a Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ebute Meta for allegedly receiving into his home a murder suspect.
The former Speaker was specifically accused of harbouring the suspect, Adekunle Dabiri, who allegedly murdered a Deputy Superintendent of Police with five others and also aiding his escape from the law.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Joseph Eboseremen, the former speaker committed the offence on October 27 at Agbowa near Ikorodu in Lagos.
Eboseremen alleged that the accused person had received Adekunle Dabiri into his home after he allegedly murdered Akingboju Akindele, a DSP.
He also claimed that the accused also aided the escape of Dabiri from the hands of the police.
The prosecutor insisted that the offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
While granting Pelumi bail in the sum of N1 million, Chief Magistrate Ayo Adedayo held that he should also produce two responsible sureties in like sum.
She further held that one of the sureties should be a member of the House of Assembly and adjourned the case until November 26 for mention.
Pelumi called the shots as speaker during the second tenure of former Governor Bola Tinubu.
Pelumi was impeached on December 29, 2005 and in his place, Mr Adeyemi Kuforiji also from Epe 1 constituency was elected.
The impeachment was signed by 32 of the 40 members of the House at an emergency sitting convened for that purpose.
The impeachment was said to be in compliance with Section 92 (2), (c) of the 1999 Constitution.
The then Clerk of the House, Mr Rasheed Jaiyesinmi, who read the impeachment notice on the floor of the House, said the move was “in view of the urgent need to re-position the House as well as enhancing services to the people of Lagos State.”
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
