Court Remands 11 Men Over Robbery, Possession Of Firearms

By Felix Kuyinu

The police have arrested an undecuple for an alleged robbery act and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the Lagos State Police Command, the suspects: Mariana Anuoluwapo, Bamidele Bakare, Sheriff Alausa, Emmanuel David, Godwin Asado, Balaji Oseni, Abdulahi Isa, Olorunwa Ayeniran, Tobi Adedayo, Taoheed Alade and Abdulahi Taoheed are also facing prosecution for indulging in cultism.

During their arraignement at the Magistrates’ Court, Yaba, the defendants were charged on three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and belonging to a secret society, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The charges alleged that on May 25, 2024, the suspects belonging to the Eiye Confraternity caused disorder in Surulere and Amuwo-Odofin areas assaulting and robbing passerbys their belongings.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Haruna Magaji, there was a distress call by inhabitants in the areas over the criminal activities staged by the gang. Magaji said that the Police carried out an investigation over the incidents and deployed a tactical team at the suspect’s hideout at Amuwo Odofin on May 27.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendants were caught with a locally made single-barrelled cut-to-size gun, two live cartridges, and 14 9MM Beretta pistol ammunition, which they used in terrorizing the areas.

He stated that the alleged offences contravened and are punishable under Section 328, Section 2(3)(a)(b)(d)(e) of the Unlawful Society and Cultism Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2021, and Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

Magistate Olatunde Adefope, who presided over the matter, did not take the plea from defendants. He ordered that the defendants be remanded pending further hearing.

The case was adjourned to September 25, 2024.