Police Arraign Surety After Woman in N21m Case Allegedly Disappears
Kehinde Adeleye
A man, Gasper Oladipo Emmanuel, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to produce a woman he stood surety for in a criminal case involving N21 million and seven vehicles.
Emmanuel was charged by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police following the alleged disappearance of Theresa Orobosa Ewere, for whom he reportedly executed a bail bond at the Area F Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
The case was heard before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi, with Superintendent of Police Josephine Ihkayere appearing as the prosecutor.
According to the charge sheet, Emmanuel stood surety for Ewere on May 19, 2026, in a case involving allegations of conspiracy, forgery and stealing.
The police said he undertook to produce the woman whenever required for investigation and court proceedings until the case was concluded.
However, Ewere allegedly absconded and failed to appear for further investigation and prosecution, prompting the police to initiate proceedings against the surety.
The first count of the charge requires Emmanuel to show cause why he should not forfeit N21 million and seven vehicles to the Lagos State Government, assets he allegedly pledged as a guarantee for the woman’s appearance.
The police cited Sections 179 and 180 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015, which provide for the forfeiture of a bail bond where a surety fails to produce the person released on bail.
When the charge was read to him, Emmanuel pleaded not guilty.
His counsel subsequently applied for bail, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond and would make efforts to produce the missing suspect if given more time.
The prosecutor did not oppose the application but urged the court to impose stringent conditions.
In his ruling, Magistrate Owolabi granted Emmanuel bail with two sureties, who must provide evidence of their means of livelihood and payment of taxes to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
The case, filed under Charge No. X/8/88/26, was investigated by the Area F Police Command, Ikeja, with Inspector Amaka Lemchi as the Investigating Police Officer.
The police said the decision to charge Emmanuel followed several unsuccessful attempts to get him to produce the woman.
The Area F Command also cautioned members of the public against standing surety for suspects without understanding the legal obligations involved, stressing that sureties are responsible for ensuring that suspects attend police investigations and court proceedings as required.
The court is expected to determine whether Emmanuel will be required to forfeit the N21 million and seven vehicles pledged in connection with the woman’s bail.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
