Thief Pushes Okada Rider Into River

A 20-year old man, Isaac Matthew, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for murder.

Isaac allegedly pushed a commercial motorcyclist, a.k.a. Okada rider, Solomon Gbelayi, 21 into the Gbaji River along the Lagos-Badagry expressway and stole his motorcycle.

The accused, who resides at Temole Compound, Oko Afor, Badagry, was said to have hired the victim to take him to Oko Afor area of Badagry.

As they embarked on the trip, they got to Gbaji bridge where the accused allegedly pushed the victim into the river and stole his motorcycle.

Luck ran out on him when passersby who witnessed the incident ran after him and arrested him.

He was handed over to the police and arraigned in court on a one-count charge of murder.

The prosecutor, Corporal Babaji Ishaku, said the offence is punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The charge reads: “That you, Isaac Matthew, on 8 July, 2011 at about 8.45 p.m. at Gbaji bridge, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Solomon Gbeleyi, 21 by pushing him into the river and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty but his plea was not taken by the magistrate, Mr. M. O. Olusi, who remanded him in prison custody, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, Alausa.

The matter has been adjourned till 2 November, 2011 for mention.

—Paul Sanusi