Eleven suspected hoodlums in Adeniji Adele area
of Lagos Island, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria,
have been arrested and arranged before a
Tinubu Magistrates' Court sitting in Lagos for
allegedly conspiring with others now at large to
attack policemen from Area 'A' Command, Lagos
Island, and set their patrol van on fire.
The suspects were arraigned by the police at
Adeniji Adele Division on a three-count charge of
felony to wit, arson, assault and conduct likely to
cause breach of peace.
The police identified the accused persons as
Lekan Abolomo, 33, Milky Jaji, 29, Uchenna
Innocent, 20, Aigbe Ekosua, 32, Olasesan Azeez,
25, Adonde Gbenupo, 50, Tope Hassan, 32,
Joshua Akinola, 27, Goodwill Agba, 18, Patrick
Felix, 29 and Waziri Dada, 22.
Investigation revealed that trouble broke out
between the police and the suspects when the
police at Area A command responded to a
distress call by residents in the area that
hoodlums were fighting at a party in front of
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Hall,
Adeniji Adele with dangerous weapons.
On sighting the police team, the rampaging
hoodlums were alleged to have attacked the
policemen with bottles and cutlasses and
attempted to disarm them.
The police team were said to have managed to
escape from the scene and called for
reinforcement.
It was learnt that before the reinforcement team
arrived the scene, the hoodlums had set fire to
the police patrol van and escaped, but the police
were able to arrest 11 suspects.
An eyewitness at the scene of the incident, who
spoke to our reporter under anonymity, said the
hoodlums that invaded the party were not invited
by the organiser of the party.
The witness alleged that the suspects stormed the
party to foment trouble and rob guests.
The offences, Supol Chidi Okoye said,
contravened Sections 409, 339 and 166 (D) of the
Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the
charge in the open court and the Chief
Magistrate, Miss A. O. Awogboro, admitted them
on bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two
sureties each in like sum.
The presiding magistrate adjourned the matter
till 23 April, 2014 for mention.
All the defendants were, however, taken to Ikoyi
Prisons pending when they will fulfil their bail
conditions
