14th March, 2011
The police in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have arraigned 36-year-old Uche Okoye before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State, for giving false information to the police.
Uche allegedly petitioned the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, on 9 December, 2010, through his lawyer, Chima E. Nnajim that one Philip Enyabine kidnapped, tortured and murdered one Mr. Peter Joseph.
He was also alleged to have collected N100,000 from Philip Enyabine, which he claimed he paid as ransom for the release of his brother, who, he said, was kidnapped.
Okoye was arraigned on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, felony, fraud, stealing, and giving false information to the police which, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Ajala Ebi, are punishable under Sections 516, 125(A), 419,390(9), of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate P.A. Ojo, admitted him on bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. He directed that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government; means of livelihood and must be residing within the magisterial district
The case has been adjourned till 3 May, 2011.
—Paul Sanusi/Abosede Agboola
