63-Year Old Grandma, Accomplice, Sent To Prison Over N200m Property Damage

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A 63-year old grandmother, Funmilayo Ajayi and Adebola Kehinde, 44, have been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for alleged demolition of a building valued at N200 million without lawful authority.

They were charged to court by the police on a four-count charge of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The police alleged in the charge sheet that the accused persons were arrested following a complaint by Adeyinka Akinyemi. Akinyemi, the prosecutor stated, complained that the accused in January 2012 invaded his house located on 15, Balogun Street, Agege, Lagos State, with some suspected hoodlums and destroyed 16 rooms and shops worth N200 million with a Caterpilar for no justifiable reasons.

He told the police that before he knew what was happening, the accused contracted a developer to construct a new building on his property which is almost completed. He stated that despite the fact that the matter was reported to the police, the accused continued with the illegal construction and occupation of his land.

The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 409, 348, 166(1) (d) (2) and 53 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The charge reads: “That you, Adebola Kehinde and Funmilayo Ajayi and others now at large, in the same month, place and time in the aforementioned magisterial district, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace against Adeyinka Akinyemi who is entitled by law to the possession of his land and building, without lawful authority entered into 15, Balogun Street, Agege, Lagos and destroyed 16 living rooms and shops valued at N200 million.”

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The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in the open court.

Chief Magistrate Aigbokhaebo admitted them on bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

She also directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendants.

She adjourned the matter till 18 May, 2012 for mention.

When the defendants could not meet their bail conditions, they were moved to Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons.

—Paul Iyoghojie

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