Father Prosecutes Sons for Alleged Assault, Theft

A man, Ade Olowopopo, has taken his two sons, Kunle and Mayowa Olowopopo, to court for allegedly assaulting their sister, Bisi Olowopopo, and for stealing his properties at Lakwe Lekki, Lagos State.

The Olowopopos were arraigned on Monday before Magistrate O. M. Ajayi sitting before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court on five counts bordering on breach of peace, assault, breaking, stealing, and threat to life.

The prosecutor, Paul Ugorji, told the court that the defendants committed the crime sometime in 2019 when the complainant was out of the country.

He said the defendants broke into their father’s compound to beat up their elder sister and chased her out of the compound, after which they stole a Toyota 4 Runner Jeep valued at N7m and a block moulding machine without his authorisation.

It was gathered in court that the sons belonged to Olowopopo’s second wife with whom he has a misunderstanding, especially concerning the paternity of the boys; and this has resulted in a family feud.

According to Ugorji, the offences committed contravened and are contrary to sections under Sections 411, 172, 287, 56, 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The charges read in part, “That you, Adekunle Olowopopo, 35, and Mayowa Olowopopo, 33, sometime in 2019 at Lakwe Lekki, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit assault, stealing, breaking and entry and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

“That you, Adekunle Olowopopo ‘m’ and Mayowa Olowopopo, sometime in 2019, did assault one Adebisi Olowopopo, your elder sister, by beating her with fist blows and chasing her out of the compound and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 172 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.

“That you, Adekunle Olowopopo and Mayowa Olowopopo, sometime in 2019, on the above date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal a Toyota 4 Runner Jeep valued at N7m and a block moulding machine, properties of Adeleke Olowopopo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.”

The defendants however pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, the magistrate, Ajayi, admitted them to bail in the sum of N40,000 with one responsible surety.

She however advised the family to go and settle the case and make peace.

She adjourned the case until December 12, 2023, for trial.