Surety
By Olaitan Idris
Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) A 39-year-old man, Dike Chinedu, who stood surety for a friend, but failed to produce him in court as required, on Tuesday, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Chinedu, whose house address was not given, entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea to a charge of perversion of justice.
The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that Chinedu committed the offence on Aug. 11, 2023 at Itire Divisional Police Headquarters in the Lagos magisterial district.
Ekhueorohan said that the defendant conspired with one other person to obstruct and pervert the course of justice.
“The defendant stood as a surety for one Henry Ajih, a friend who was involved in a case of obtaining by false pretences reported at the station.
“Ajih was granted bail and released to the defendant who promised to produce him at the station on Aug. 13, 2023 and other subsequent days until the case is finally disposed of.
“The accused is hereby called upon to show cause why the sum of N200,000 bond executed by him should not be forfeited,” the prosecutor said.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 97(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 97 provides seven years imprisonment for perversion of justice, while sub-section three provides for two years imprisonment.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Otitoju, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Otitoju adjourned the case till Aug. 15 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IOI/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
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