6th July, 2017
An Ikeja Magistrate’s’ Court on Thursday granted bail to three men, who allegedly beat Fagbamiro Saheed, an official of Lagos State Local Government and stole his property.
The accused are: Nathaniel Duru, 63; Remi Olanade, 36; and Solomon Ojeabuni, 48, whose addresses were not provided.
They were facing a four-count charge of assault, stealing, breach of peace and obstruction.
Each of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 16 at Ashade Market, off Oba-Akran Avenue, Lagos.
Samuel said the accused beat up Saheed and inflicted injuries on him.
The prosecutor said that the accused assaulted Saheed, while performing his lawful duty of taking photographs of the dirty environments in the market.
“They obstructed and prevented him from performing his duty before descending on him.
“In the process of beating him, they tore his shirt, stole his phone valued at N21, 000 and collected N20, 000 from him,’’ he said.
Samuel said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 166, 172 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 172 prescribes three years jail term for assault, while Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for anyone convicted of stealing.
The Magistrate, Miss A.R. Onilogbo, however, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Onilogbo said that one of the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of a two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court adjourned the case until July 17.
