A middle aged-man, Olusegun Ogunmefun, has been arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for alleged conspiracy, land grabbing and breach of public peace, by the men of Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendant and others now at large, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, sometimes in 2020, while armed with dangerous weapons, allegedly invaded a landed property located at Segun Finnih Street, off Daddy Savage Street, Fagba, Lagos and forcefully took over the land.
He was also alleged to have procured and engaged some armed hoodlums and thugs who invaded and forcefully took over the possession of land, which was occupied by Pastor Chinedu Anthony of Life Freedom Ministry.
Furthermore, the prosecutor alleged that the defendant and others now at large, in their bid to forcefully take over the land from Pastor Anthony damaged the entrance gate and padlock of the fence of the said landed property, while also acting in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
Barrister Animashaun while arraigning the defendant on Friday, told the court that his alleged infractions, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 52, 339 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urging the court to remand him in correctional facility, till the determination of the charges against him.
But his counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Okedia, pleaded with the court to admit the defendant to bail in the most liberal terms, on the ground that he is a first time offender and that the charges against him are bailable.
After hearing from the parties, Magistrate O. A. Salawu, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in like sum.
Mrs. Salawu also ordered the that the surety must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government and must have verifiable means of livelihood and address.
While adjourning the matter till December 22 for mention, she ordered that the defendant be remanded in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the perfection of the bail terms.
