MICHAEL AKINOLA
Three men have been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over the alleged destruction of properties valued at ₦60m belonging to Ikosi-Isheri LCDA at a construction site in Jakande Market, Ketu in Lagos State.
The defendants were Olatilewa Taofeek, 37, Olamilekan Balogun, 34, and Ogungbero Ajalekoko, 27. They were arraigned on Charge No. MU-/157/26 on a six-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet signed by CSP Obeth Hamma, Divisional Police Officer, Ketu Division, the incident occurred on June 10, 2026 in the Ikeja Magisterial District.
Count I alleged that the defendants and others now at large conspired to commit felony to wit: assault occasioning harm, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and threatening violence. The offence is punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count IV, which formed a major part of the charge, alleged that the trio and others now at large unlawfully and maliciously destroyed properties at a newly constructed site valued at Sixty Million Naira (₦60,000,000). The properties were said to belong to Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ikosi Ketu. The offence is punishable under Section 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecution also alleged assault in Counts II and III. The defendants were accused of unlawfully assaulting Tijani Ifesanya by hitting him with planks of wood all over his body, and assaulting Mathew Adebayo by beating and pushing him, inflicting injuries on his leg. Both offences are punishable under Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count V, Olatilewa Taofeek was alleged to have used scissors to intimidate and threaten Tijani Ifesanya, an offence punishable under Section 86(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count VI alleged that the three defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by illegally disrupting ongoing work at the market. The offence is punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending perfection of their bail conditions.
Legal experts say Section 350 deals with malicious damage to property, while Section 411 relates to conspiracy to commit felony under Lagos State law.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.