Police Arraign NURTW Member

The Police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Babatunde Ojo, for allegedly assaulting members of staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Ojo, 35, is facing a three-count charge of assault, extortion and conspiracy at an Itire Magistrates’ Court.

He, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum, who must be blood relations and show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State.

The prosecution told the court that Ojo, with others still at large, attacked NAN employees in the Agency’s staff bus and stabbed three of them at Olatilewa Street, Ikate, Surulere.

Insp. Lucky Ifedermoni told the court that the accused demanded for money from the NAN driver, in spite of the agency’s bold name written on the bus and the official Federal Government’s number plate.

She said the offence, which was committed at about 8.15 a.m. as the NAN staff were heading to the Iganmu office, contravened Sections 197, 355 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of Lagos State.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Abimbola Awogboro adjourned the case till April 29 for further hearing.