By Felix Kuyinu
A Lagos clergyman, Jude Ojo, is to be arrainged at a Lagos court for failing to produce five suspects he is standing for as a surety.
Ojo, 57-year-old, was initially arraigned before Magistate Antoinette Dirisu at the Ogba Magistates’ Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, perversion of the course of justice and aiding the escape of the suspects following a petition by a traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, who claimed an occurrence of threat to his life at the Lagos State Police Command.
Subsequently, a police squad investigated the allegation and arrested five suspects and after an initial prosecution, they were released on bail to Ojo on the understanding that he would produce them in court at the appointed date for prosecution.
Ojo was said to have failed to comply with the directive.
Following the suspects’ disappearance, Ojo was arrainged on an amended charge consisting of three counts: perversion of justice, conspiracy, and aiding the escape of suspects.
The three-count charge proffered against the acclaimed pastor, according to the prosecutor, Inspector John Iveredem, read: “That you Jude Ojo ‘M’ and others at large on the 31st of December, 2023 at about 1900hrs at the CP Special squad, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did apply and stood surety or bail for Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu who were involved in a case of conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and threat to life, wherein you promised to produce the said persons on the 2nd of January 2024 at about 0900hrs and every subsequent date as disposed of or forfeit the sum of five hundred thousand nairas to the Lagos State government but breached same by failing and refusing to produce the persons despite repeated requests and thereby perverted the course of justice contrary to Section 97 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
“That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did aid to escape from the lawful custody of the police one Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 107 of the Criminal law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did stand as a surety and enter into recognizance in bond sum of Five hundred thousand naira for the bail of Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu and Rotimi Arowojolu who you promise to produce on January 2nd, 2024 and subsequent dates and which you failed to produce the said persons.
“You are hereby ordered to show cause why the recognizance bond of five hundred thousand naira you entered into should not be forfeited to the government in pursuant to Section 132 of Administration of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Further sitting over the matter will be held on June 10 at Court 19, Ilori Courthouse, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.
