2 Brothers Rob Bizman

Three robbery suspects including two brothers Ndubuisi Eze, 25, Ifeanyi Eze, 24, and Chimezie Obidika, alleged to have been terrorising and robbing residents of Isolo, FESTAC Town and its environs, have been arrested by the operatives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji-Adele Road, Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

They were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a 2-count charge of armed robbery.

The police stated in their charge sheet that the accused persons were arrested following a complaint lodged by their victim, Chief Emmanuel Offodile, that the accused in November 2011 at Emalo Suite, Apple Junction, FESTAC Town, Lagos, while armed with pump action guns and knife, robbed him of his eight laptops, jewellery and cash all valued at N5.6 million and escaped.

Following the report, the police trailed and arrested the accused persons in Lagos and other states through a tip-off.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime.

They were charged to court for armed robbery. The offences, the prosecutor DSP Susan Ezema said, are punishable under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal LAws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The plea of the accused was not taken.

DSP Susan Ezema presented an application under Section 264(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos State 2011 for the remand of the defendants in prison custody because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

She informed the presiding magistrate Mrs. C. J. Momodu that her office has duplicated the case file and sent it to the Office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, SDPP, for legal advice for the prosecution of the matter at the High Court.

Consequently, Mrs. Momodu ordered that the defendants to be remanded in prison pending advice from the DPP.

She adjourned the matter till 23 April 2012.

—Paul Iyoghojie