National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, chieftain, Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Lagos following accusations of assault against a Nollywood actor identified Ade Adele, popularly known as Baba Lawori.
The accused was granted bail during his court trial but detained at the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
The police disclosed at the court that the chieftain is facing charges over offences of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace in the state.
The Prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun, mentioned that the suspect committed the offences on June 5, 2024, at Idimu, by conspiring with some of his boys to assault the victim.
Animashaun stated that during the assault, a bottle of drink was smashed on Baba Lawori’s head.
The Prosecutor read charges against the defendant as follows, “That you Ganiyu Oyedepo on or about the June 25, 2024 at Idimu, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, Lagos conspired to commit Felony wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and committed an Offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State
“That you Oyedepo on the said date unlawfully procured one of your boys (now at large) who unlawfully broke bottle and inflicted injuries on the head of one Alhaji Ade Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 173 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“That you Oyedepo conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace when you threatened and procured one of your boys (now at large) to break bottle on the head of Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 168 (l)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under Section 168 (2) of thé same Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state 2015.”
Koko-Zaria pleaded not guilty.
The alledged offences are said to contravene sections 411; 173 and 168 (l)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State and are punishable under section 168 (2) of the same laws.
The court, after granting Koko Zaria bail in the sum of N2 million naira with two sureties in like sum, ordered that the sureties must be of unquestionable character, with evidence of means of livelihood and must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
In addition, the court also ordered the sureties to present evidence of three years of tax and have their addresses verified.
A date for continuation of trial against the suspect was fixed for October 29.
