19th October, 2015
Scores of protesters and family members of the mother of four, Idongesit Sunday, who was allegedly felled by a trigger-happy police corporal, on Monday besieged the Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters led by Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise, a human right group, demanded justice in the matter.
Various placards with inscriptions, “Injustice to one is injustice to all”, “We demand responsible policing of Nigeria”, “Justice must be served on killer cop, Museliu Aremu” among others were displayed at the court premises.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, counsel to the accused, Mr Lekan Alabi, urged the court to grant the accused bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folasade Botoku, however, rejected the appeal of the defence counsel.
Botoku noted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute such a case and that the case was still premature because it had not exceeded 60 days.
“The court is not aware that there is a difference between the accused, a public servant and an ordinary citizen, hence bail is hereby refused.”
The magistrate ordered that the accused should be remanded again, this time at the Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The case was adjourned till Nov. 25.
NAN reports that 28-year-old Cpl. Museliu Aremu, had allegedly shot dead Idongesit on Sept. 16 while returning from church with her husband and child in a tricycle.
At his arraignment on Sept. 18, the court had ordered that the accused, who was charged with a two-count charge of murder and causing grievous harm, should be remanded in police custody at Panti, Yaba, pending legal advice from the DPP.
NAN also reports that the plea of the accused attached to the Isheri-Oshun Police Station, was not taken.
Mr G.O. Osuyi of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, and Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, had earlier told the court that the offences were committed on Sept. 16 at about 8.00 p.m. at Isheri-Oshun, Ijegun, a Lagos surburb.
He said the accused shot dead Comfort Idongesit and caused grievous harm to Godwin Sunday, the deceased husband.
NAN reports that the accused opened fire on the tricycle shattering the head of the mother of four and causing serious injury to the husband’s jaw.
Osuyi noted that the offences contravened Sections 221 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.