10th March, 2016
Paul Iyoghojie
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ikoyi Division, Lagos State, western Nigeria, SP Tijani Mustapha, has led his men to round up seven women for allegedly hawking herbal and alcoholic drinks which it said is harmful to human health.
The police identified the suspects as Toyosi Ismail, 22, Shola Salami, 30, Taiwo Azeez, 20, Aderele Deborah, 22, Aderele Elizabeth, 20, 0lalere Tobi, 21, and Fatimo Ade, 25.
Suspected harmful herbal and alcoholic drinks found with the suspects, according to the police include popular bitters.
The suspects, the police claimed were arrested at Falomo, Ikoyi Club, Mosley Roads and Thomson street, Ikoyi.
Investigation revealed that the DPO swung into action and led his Men to arrest the suspects following an alarm raised by concerned residents of Ikoyi, Lagos that the suspects were selling harmful alcoholic drinks to their security guards and domestic servants which make the guards sleep off on duty and endanger their lives.
The residents appealed to the DPO to do his best to stop the influx of the hawkers into Ikoyi.
After investigation by Afolayan Babashola and his team, all the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a count charge of felony to wit, unlawful possession and display of suspected harmful herbal and alcoholic drinks in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Police prosecutor, SGT Nicholas Akpene told the court that the gin found with the accused persons was harmful to health and that the offence the accused persons committed is punishable under section 158(1) of the criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the police allegations in the open court, and Magistrate Mrs S. K. Matepo struck out the case, discharge and acquitted the defendants when the police could not convince the court that the gin found with the accused was fake or harmful to health.