16th September, 2015
Cyriacus Izuekwe
A Police Corporal attached to Isolo division, Ibukun Mathew, narrowly escaped death after a group of people attempted to mob him in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
Mathew had arrested a man driving SUV, Stanley Ogba, accompanied by his friend Ifeanyi Isacc, for contravening traffic laws.
He entered the SUV, a Lexus R300, with registration number, AAA 370 D and directed Ogba who was on the steering to drive to the station.
Instead of Ogba to drive to the station, he diverted the SUV towards Mile 2 expressway.
On getting to Rainbow Oil by Cele bus stop on Oshodi-Mile 2 expressway, he parked by the side of the highway and raised an alarm, claiming that Mathew, who was with an AK47 rifle inside his vehicle, wanted to rob him.
The alarm drew the attention of a crowd who attempted to mob Mathew but backed off when they realized that he was a serving police officer on official duty.
The crowd dispersed and Ogba and Isaac were taken to Isolo Police Division and detained.
The SUV was recovered as exhibit and parked at the station.
They were later taken to Isolo Magistrates’ court for committing both traffic and criminal offences.
Ogba was first arraigned for committing traffic offence and was fined N100,000 each for the two-count charge to which he pleaded guilty.
He paid the fine thinking that he was free.
But the police brought criminal charges against Ogba and Isaac, for conspiracy, conduct likey to cause breach of public peace and obstruction of police on duty.
They pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Joy Ugbomoiko granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
They were remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when they will perfect their bail.
The matter was adjourned till 25 September, 2015.