5th November, 2012
The factional leader of Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market also known as Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Jonathan Okoli has been arraigned before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos charged with armed robbery.
The police at State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos had arrested and investigated Okoli for his alleged involvement in terrorism in the state.
Thereafter, a seven-count charge of terrorism, illegal possession of arms, attempted murder and extortion was preferred against him.
According to the officer in charge, OC Legal of the court, Chukwu Agwu, the offences Okoli allegedly committed are contrary to Sections 409, 410, 51 and 166 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
His plea was not taken.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. O. Olajuwon ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the office of Director of Public Prosecution, DPP for advice.
She also ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody while the matter was adjourned till 3 December, 2012 for mention.
Sources close to the police informed P.M.NEWS that Okoli’s arrest and subsequent arraignment was sequel to his alleged role in Ladipo Market crises. He was alleged to have imported arms such as guns, machetes and hired thugs popularly known as ‘Bakassi Boys’ from southeast Nigeria to terrorise traders and residents of Papa Ajao, Mushin and its environs.
Okoli, 49, from Ndiowu in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, was the leader of Ladipo Market. But the crises rocking the market started about five years ago when his tenure ended and he refused to conduct election or vacate his seat.
The traders became divided and many factions emerged in the leadership of the market. A faction went to court and secured judgement against Okoli, yet he remained adamant.
Instead of obeying a court order and bowing to the popular wish of the traders to conduct elections, he allegedly brought thugs from the southeast to unleash terror on the traders.
The thugs chased out his opponents from the market. Since last year traders illegally ejected from the market were not allowed to return.
The developer, Paramo Development Venture was also attacked and chased out of the market.
Chairman, Mushin Local government, Mr. Babatunde Adepitan who was on a truce mission to the market was also attacked by thugs. But Okoli denied having a hand in the attacks.
The Lagos State House of Assembly intervened in the crises and invited the warring factions to the floor of the House at Alausa, Ikeja where the Assembly advised Okoli to step aside. He snubbed the legislators.
Similarly, efforts by the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Environment to bring peace to the market was rebuffed by Okoli.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe