By Felix Kuyinu
A sextet is facing prosecution for allegedly attacking and blackmailing Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin.
The arrestees : Siri Olawale, Edu Shakirat, Qudus Jokogbola, Opere Morenike, Fausat Mohammed and Kafayat Ahmed were arraigned for conspiracy, breach of peace and causing bodily harm on the actresses as disclosed by the Police.
At the Tinubu Magistates’ Court, the Prosecutor, Inspector Samuel Isholla, uttered that the six defendants and two others at large, committed the alleged offence on February 5, 2024, at about 1.30p.m, at Oba Akintoye Market, Lagos Island, Lagos State, hence, contravening sections 168(d), 170(b) 411 and 413(2) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Ishola, who told the court that Section 413(2) stipulates a two-year jail term for anyone found guilty of causing injury to a person or reputation of any person, or to depreciate the value of any person or property said the defendants and two others at large, conspired among themselves and forcefully pushed, dragged the thespian causing her severe bodily injuries.
Charges against the defendants read: “That you Qudus Jokogbola ‘m’, Suru Olawale ‘m’, Edu Shakirat ‘f’, Fausat Mohammed ‘f’, Kafayat Ahmed ‘f’, Opere Simiat Morenike ‘f and two others at Large on the 5th day of February 2024 at about 1330hrs at Oba Akintoye Market, Lagos Island in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit assault and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 and 413 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State
of Nigeria 2015.
“That you Qudus Jokogbola ‘m’, Suru Olawale ‘m’, Edu Shakirat ‘f, Fausat Mohammed ‘f’, Kafayat Ahmed ‘f’, Opere Simiat Morenike ‘f’ and two others at Large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial did unlawfully conduct yourselves in a manner to cause the breach of the public peace by assaulting one Lizzy Anjorin Lawal by forcefully pushing and dragging her which caused her bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 168(d) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
“That you Qudus Jokogbola ‘m’, Suru Olawale ‘m’, Edu Shakirat ‘f, Fausat Mohammed ‘f’, Kafayat Ahmed ‘f’, Opere Simiat Morenike ‘f’ and two others at Large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial did unlawfully assault one Lizzy Anjorin Lawal by forcefully pushing and dragging her which caused her bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 170(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
“That you Qudus Jokogbola ‘m’, Suru Olawale ‘m’, Edu Shakirat ‘f, Fausat Mohammed ‘f’, Kafayat Ahmed ‘f’, Opere Simiat Morenike ‘f’ and two others at Large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial did unlawfully injured the reputation of one Lizzy Anjorin Lawal when one of you recognized her being an actress in the Nollywood industry by calling her thief, ‘Ole’, ‘ashawo’ etc also posting it on the internet that she stole at the Lagos Island Market and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 170(b) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their not guilty plea, defence counsel, Ade Oshodi, who led other six lawyers, informed the court that all his clients were market men and women urging the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
Responding to the lawyer’s request, the prosecutor told the court that granting of bail is at court’s discretion. He further positioned that the court should admit them to bail in terms and conditions that will ensure their attendance in court.
Magistrate Adedamola Paul, in his ruling, admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N200 000, with one surety in like sum.
The magistrate also ordered the sureties must be residents of Lagos State with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government, among others.
He ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), until they perfect their bail terms.
The case was been adjourned till March 11
