Court Orders 10 Remanded Over Arson, Attempted Murder

Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ilaro 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 peace.

Chief Magistrate F. A. Daudu ordered that the defendants, Alhaji Fatai Isiaka; Awode Oladosu; Ajibola Saliu; Jamiu Adejobi; Noah Elegbede; Akanbi Rasaq; Fatai Fadeyi; Ibeleru Suru; Obanla Bayo; Saheed Olabisi and Obeh Sulaimon be remanded.

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

Their remand order was sequel to an ex parte application filed and argued by Mr. Morufu Animashaun, who told the court that the offences against the respondents, were felony in nature and could only be tried by the State’s High Court.

Animashaun said that the investigation had been concluded and the duplicate case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for issuance of legal advice and prosecution.

He told the court that the application was pursuant to Sections 36 (7) of the 199 Constitution of Nigeria and Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Ogun State, 2017 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

He prayed the court to remand the defendants, noting that a police officer, Inspector Okoye Ernest, was deposed to the affidavit in support of the ex parte application.

He told the court that the Assistant Inspector General of Police In-Charge of 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 felony to wit: attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to properties and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The deponent averred that during the investigation, 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 from his maternal family meeting at Isalegbodo quarters, Agosasa in Ipokia Council of Ogun State.

He averred that consequent upon the alleged criminal act, the defendants further invaded the house and premises of the petitioner, located on Adigun Ariori Castle, Ipokia road, Agosasa, in Ipokia Council, Ogun State, and willfully and unlawfully set 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 the English Language, adding that the 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 peace that has been established against the respondents and a charge has been preferred against the respondents.

However, Chief Magistrate Daudu, after listening to Animashaun’s submission and perusing 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 legal advice on the allegations.

The Chief Magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter to December 1, 2022, for a report on DPP’s advice.