By Olushola Okewole
The most wanted alleged armed bandit, Fatai Olamuekan, who is popularly known as ‘Up Arsenal’ has been arrested by the Police operatives in Ejigbo Division led by the DPO, CSP Olabisi Okuwobi, in an undisclosed hospital, where he was receiving treatment over injuries he sustained during a violent clash with a rival group.
It was gathered that during the bloody clash, Olamuekan sustained serious injury and was secretly taken to the hospital for treatment before the police received intelligence and the DPO personally led the operation that eventually led to his arrest.
It was gathered that the suspect is allegedly one of the most wanted bandits in Ejigbo as he is said to have about 50 boys under him.
The suspect was said to have escaped arrest after he allegedly went to Ecobank in Ejigbo with his gang, robbed some people using the ATM of their money, phones and other valuables during the last Omagbo festival.
However, it was gathered that since his arrest, there has been relative peace in Ejigbo as other members of his gang have reportedly relocated.
He was charged before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court, where he was remanded in prison custody for robbery without an option of bail
In the charge sheet, the defendant was alleged of using three different names: Olamuekan, Suleimon and Inache.
The Police also alleged that the defendant armed with cutlasses and broken bottles attacked some victims at Omiyale and Oboye Streets, where he damaged one Toyota Corolla car with registration number GGE 801 FN belonging to one Mr. Daniel Onwuka.
The Court did not take his plea after the prosecutor, Supol Kenneth Asibor, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP because the alleged offence involved the use of arms.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Teslim Shomade, ordered him remanded in prison custody and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.
The Court also referred the issue of granting him bail to the High Court of Lagos for consideration. The matter was adjourned till January 15, 2020 for report of the DPP to be ready.
The case may be transferred to the High Court if the DPP finds him culpable and recommends his trial for armed robbery which attracts several years of imprisonment if he is tried and found guilty.
