12th October, 2015
Paul Iyoghojie
The Chairman of tyre dealers association, Ladipo market, Mushin, Lagos, western Nigeria, Cyril Ejiogu, 42, has been arraigned before a Lagos State magistrates’ court for allegedly using offensive weapons to attack other members in the market during a fight over alleged power tussle and in the process inflicted bodily harm on Malachi Aguodili.
Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, arrested the accused and arraigned him before an Igbosere magistrates’ court, Lagos on a three-count charge of felony to wit: conduct likely to cause the breach of peace, assault occasioning bodily harm and obstruction of police men on duty.
Police prosecutor, Supol E. Eshiet informed the court in charge No. L/29/2015 that the accused and others now at large committed the offence on 7 August and 7 October, 2015 at Ladipo tyre market, Mushin, Lagos and water side area of Ikoyi, Lagos.
Eshiet told the court that the accused and others attacked other members with offensive weapons at the Ladipo market, Mushin and injured Malachi Aguodili.
He said, following a complaint by the victim of the attack, a police team led by Sgt. Ojo Agunloye was dispatched to the scene to restore order, but the accused obstructed the police from doing their job and resisted arrest.
Eshiet noted that the offences are punishable under sections 116(2), 171 and 117(2) of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the crime in the open court and his counsel, Barr. A. C. Ujogwu urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, saying the accused is the chairman of Tyre dealers association at Ladipo market and that he will not jump bail.
Magistrate Mrs A. T. Omoyele admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Omoyele adjourned the case till 16 November, 2015 for mention while the defendant was moved to Ikoyi prison, Lagos, when he could not perfect his bail conditions before the court closed proceedings for the day.