2 Hungry Men Arrested For Begging At Lagos Airport

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Two visibly hungry men, Elendu Michael, 27 and Irongohol Godwin, 35, who went to the airport in Lagos in order to beg for money from passengers, have landed in trouble as they were caught for their conduct.

P.M.EXPRESS reports they were arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. 

The management of the airport were said to have been embarrassed after the two men went to the restricted area at the airport, engaged in touting by rendering unsolicited services to arriving passengers without the permission of the airport management.

They were then apprehended and handed over to the Police operatives at the Airport Division for interrogation over their conduct.

During interrogation, they told the Police that they were not criminals rather were jobless and hungry, then went to render unsolicited assistance and solicit for money in order to eat food pending when they will get a job.

According to Police sources, the management of the airport was angry that the suspects portrayed Nigeria as a country of poor people by coming to the airport to solicit for money by begging, where both travelling Nigerians and foreigners pass through to their various destinations and ask for the prosecution of the suspects. 

Having been found culpable by the Police, they were subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.

They pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr. Mathew Ikhaluode, asked the Court for a short adjournment for hearing to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. H.B. Mogaji, granted them bail and ordered their remand in custody pending when they will perfect their bail conducts and adjourned till further a date for mention.