23rd May, 2012
A suspected thug on Lagos Island, Lagos, Babatunde Muritala a.k.a Muri Lion, 36, has been arrested by the police at Ebute-ero Division, Lagos Island, Lagos, for allegedly threatening the life of a property developer, Mr. Rabiu Babatunde Shekoni.
He was arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate’s court on a two-count charge of felony to wit threat to life and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
The Police alleged in charge suit No. I/17/2012 that the accused was arrested following a complaint by Rabiu Babatunde Shekoni that the accused and others now at large on 15 May, 2012 at 11, Ereko Street, Lagos Island threatened to kill him when they invaded his site under construction to chase him and his workers away from the site.
He claimed that they pursued him and his workers with cutlasses and knives, saying I must pay them money before I could work on the site.
“I raised about N1million and gave them, and yet they threatened to kill me, if I did not pay more money. I want the police to help me before they terminate my life,” he allegedly told the police.
The offences the accused committed, according to the prosecutor, ASP F. Ifijeh, contravened section 249 (d) and contrary to and punishable under section 56 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.
Part of the charge reads that you, Babatunde Muritala, on the same date, time and place in the Lagos magisterial district did threaten the life of Mr. Rabiu Babatunde Shekoni by pursuing him with cutlass to kill him.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the magistrate, O.I. Oguntade, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum who must show proof of tax payment to Lagos State government.
She adjourned the matter till 6 June, 2012.
The accused was taken to Ikoyi Prison when nobody came to bail him.
—Paul Iyoghojie