25th August, 2015
Akin Kuponiyi
Men of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of Lagos state Police Command, Panti-Yaba, Lagos, Tuesday arraigned a street hawker, Arinze Okemiri, before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court, on charges of arson, attempted murder and action causing grievous harm.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Mr. Emmanuel Ajayi,the accused who sells eye glasses had on July 20, at about 4p.m., attempted to burn down shop 19/21 Balogun street, Lagos Island, belonging to one Malachi Ezeoke, by setting it on fire after wetting it with petrol.
The prosecutor further told the court that the accused while attempting to set ablaze the two shops, also caused bodily harm to the shop owner, Mr. Ezeoke, by setting fire on his two legs.
The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused are punishable under sections 340(1)(2) 228(1)(2) and 234 of the criminal code laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges,upon the accused plea, his lawyer, Mr.S.O. Oladele, urged the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal term, since the accused is presume innocent until prove guilty.
Consequently, the presiding Chief Magistrate, O. Olajuwon, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N400,000.00, with two sureties in like sum the addresses and means of livelihood of the sureties must be verified by the prosecutor, thereafter the matter was adjourned till September 23, for mention.