Thirty-three persons were, yesterday, arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over the recent Mile 12 riots. It would be recalled that over four people lost their lives, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in riots that broke out in Agiliti area of Ketu, Mile 12, last week. It was gathered that about 105 persons were arrested after the riots, out of which the 33 were arraigned yesterday.

Roll call

Those arraigned included: Sanusi Mohammed, 17; Haruna Abdulahi, 30; Umaru Bala, 18; Saheed Tahir Abdulahi, 20; Musa Isa, 22; Biliaminu Dauda, 15; Abeeb Ibrahim, 16; Farouq Abdamu, 22; Aminu Abubakar, 22; Sanni Amadu, 24. Others are Amoo Mustapha, 42; Danjuma Adamson, 30; America Umaru Saidu, 21; Awolu Alli, 30; Rufai Ibrahim, 15; Monday Obasi, 37; Aminu Abubakar, 19; Abdulquddus Olalekan Ajuwon, 19; Tunde Nureni, 24; Abdulahi Umoru, 20; Musa Usman, 35; Abdulahi Aliyu, 35. The others are Aminu Saidi Ibrahim, 19; Sunday Idoko, 48; Hassan Adam, 39; Yahaya Sheu Malami, 23; Rabiu Hamza, 19; Nura Yahu, 19; Rayyanu Lawal, 34; Abdurama Mohammed, 40; Abubakar Tasu, 28; Sunday Lawal, 15, and Sani Ahasy, 15.

Charge

They were docked before Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi on a two-count charge “of conspiracy to wit: felony, unlawful assembly, acting in a disorderly manner and disturbing the public peace.” The charge read in part: “On March 3, at Agiliti, Mile 12, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourself to commit felony to wit riot and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

The alleged offence of “disorderly manner to disturb public peace” also contravenes Section 45 of the same law. When the charge was read, they all pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors were Barrister Osuyi Goddy and Inspector Simon Imhonwa.

‘Don’t grant them bail’

Goddy, who is from the legal department of the state CID, Panti, objected to the bail application, saying that most of the defendants do not have fixed addresses, which may aid their escape from trial. In her response, Magistrate Osunsanmi said that the offences preferred against them are bailable in law, and subsequently granted them N200,000 bail each, with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must be blood related and must have verifiable addresses. She also said that the sureties must be a regular tax payer and adjourned the matter till April 7 for trial.

•Sourced from Vanguard.