5th May, 2015
Henry Ojelu
Ten persons were Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos High Court in connection with the torture of three women for stealing pepper at Oba Morufu International Market in Ejigbo, on February 11, 2013.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye on a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty
Those arraigned were the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, Buhari Yusuf, Abdullahi Haruna and Saheed Adisa.
Others were Lateef Tijani, Ahmed Adisa, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Adekunle Adenuga and Oloruntoyin Dauda.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Idowu Alakija, said the defendants had tortured Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo, for allegedly stealing pepper at the market.
Alakija said the women were beaten up, stripped and pepper was rubbed over their bodies by the suspects who are members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).
The defendants were also alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women’s private parts, while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone.
They were also accused of obtaining the sum of N50,000 from Fima Agomo, who is a relative to the victims by claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper had been stolen.
According to her, their offences contravene Sections 44, 127 (1) 171,228 (2), 241,243, 259, 270, 312, 408 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
The judge ordered them to be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications fixed for 21 May 21.