Ladipo Market Leader, Others Remanded

The  leader of Aguiyi Ironsi section of the Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Okoli and 13 others have been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court charged with unlawful possession of firearms, threat to lives, assault on policemen, malicious damage and resisting police arrest.

Operatives of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos, alleged in their first report that the accused were arrested following a petition sent to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Abuja by traders at the market and Mushin residents that some suspected criminals were stockpiling arms and ammunition in a section of the market to attack traders and their customers.

Acting on the petition, policemen led by ASP Usman Abubakar raided the market and arrested the accused.

Two pump action rifles were recovered from them.

After investigation, the accused were charged to court.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Jonathan Okoli, 49, Isaac Udeh, 48, Aslem Emechata, 50, Oluchi Eze, 30, Ernest Anagemba, 55 Ifeanyu Oguguo, 35, Obinna Okafor, 32, Chukwu Daniel, 23, Nwodo Friday, 29, Ejike Okafor, 26, Chinedu Okafor, 35, Obinna Nwankwo, 23, Chukwujekwu Izueke, 33 and Chukwuebuta Okafor and others who are now at large on 4 November, 2011 at Akinwunmi Street, Ladipo, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, had in your possession Mossberg pump action rifle gun No. D3256 601 and Falcon Delux pump action gun No. 8783 and seven live catridges.”

Count three reads: “That you, Jonathan Okoli and 13 others on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district with intent to resist police lawful arrest attacked ASP Usmand Abubakar and members of his team from the Federal Anti-robbery Squad, Lagos with guns and other dangerous weapons.”

The offences, according to ASP Julius Oyakhilome, who stood in for ASP Felix Ifiten, are punishable under Section 3(1) Cap. 12(11) Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and  Sections 516 and 356 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2004. When the charges were read to them, the accused pleaded not guilty and the presiding magistrate, Mr. Adesola Sonugo granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate also directed that one of the sureties must be a bank manager and the other on Level 12 in the Civil Service and adjourned the matter till 8 December, 2011 for mention.

— Paul Iyoghojie