18th October, 2013
A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, will on 21 October rule on a bail application by Esther Ihedime, 25, who allegedly attempted to rob another lady while armed with a toy gun.
Ihedime, who is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted robbery, was re-arraigned on Thursday before Justice Aishat Opesanwo.
Opesanwo adjourned till 21 October after listening to arguments by both counsel on the bail application.
The defendant, who has no particular occupation, was first arraigned before Justice Christopher Balogun on 27 May.
At the resumed hearing, Ihedime’s plea was taken again and she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, told the court that a bail application had been filed by his client and urged the court to admit her to bail pending the determination of the case.
He also said that a nine-paragraph affidavit had been attached to the bail application, which was deposed to by Mr Cyprian Ihedime, the father of the defendant.
“I will urge the court to carefully consider the bail application with the attached documents and grant the defendant bail in liberal terms,” he said.
A state counsel, Mr. W.A. Quadri, however, said that a counter-affidavit had been filed in opposition to the bail application filed by the defendant’s counsel.
“We know that granting bail is at the discretion of the court, we only urge your lordship to grant bail on grounds that will ensure the availability of the defendant in court for trial,” he said.
The charge sheet said that Ihedime committed the offences on 2 November, 2012 at 159A, Akerele Extension, Surulere, Lagos, at 2.45 p.m.
According to the charge, the defendant with others now at large, while armed with a toy gun, attempted to rob Miss Rukayat Abdulsalat of her valuables.
The offences committed contravene Sections 296 and 298 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.