Surety
By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja, Aug. 24, 2018 (NAN) A 50-year-old surety, Lateef Ibrahim, who failed to produce two persons he stood surety for, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly perverting the course of justice.
Ibrahim, a businessman, whose address is unknown, is facing trial for conspiracy and perversion of justice.
The Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 30, at Police Public Relations Office at Oduduwa, GRA, Ikeja.
Ayorinde said that the accused conspired with two other persons at large to obstruct and pervert the course of justice.
“The accused stood as a surety for Musiliudeen Adeniyi and Olumide Olatunji who were arrested over a case of conspiracy and breach of peace.
“Both Adeniyi and Olatunji were then granted N300, 000 bail and released to the accused, who promised to produce them whenever the police needed them till the case is finally disposed off.
“The accused got Adeniyi and Olatunji out of custody to enable them abscond and escape prosecution.
“The accused is hereby called upon to show cause why the sum of N300,000 bond executed by him should not be forfeited,” the prosecutor said.
The Magistrate, Mrs B.O Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail of N200,000 with two sureties, who should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The offences contravene Section 97 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 97 (1) provides seven years imprisonment for perversion of justice, while section 411 stipulates two years for conspiracy.
The case was adjourned until Sept. 24 for mention.(NAN)
DOA/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle