Man, 63, Lands In Prison For Standing  As Surety For Suspected Criminal

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 63-year old man, Babajide Aladejobi, has landed in trouble for allegedly standing as a surety to a suspected criminal, Theophilus Bakanon and he ran away after he was released from Police custody in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the surety, Mr. Babajide Aladejobi, has been arrested and charged before the Court for prevention of Justice and stealing under the Criminal Law of the State.

The incident happened between November,2023 and August, 2024 in Surulere area of Lagos, where the Mr. Babajide was said to have gone to the Police and stood as surety for Theophilus Bakanon.

According to the Police, Mr. Babajide went to the SCID at Yaba and stood as surety for Bakanon, who allegedly stole N41m from one Igwe Ann under false pretence.

The matter was reported to the Police and Bakanon was arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

However, Mr. Babajide went to the Police and asked for the release of Bakanon on bail and promised to produce him anytime the Police wanted him and the request was granted.

Trouble started when Bakanon was released on bail and he sensed that based on the evidence before the Police against him that he was likely going to prison. He secretly packed his property and escaped. He also disconnected every communication he had with the surety and went into hiding.

The Police later asked the surety to produce him as he had promised. He then told the Police that Bakanon has escaped and disconnected every communication he had with him.

The Police asked him to provide the money but he was unable to do so and was subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, BABAJIDE ALADEJOBI ‘M’ and one Theophilus Bakanon ‘M’ now at large, between the month of November 2023 and August 2024 in the day time at Surulere in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II:” That you, BABAJIDE ALADEJOBI ‘M’ and one Theophilius Bakanon ‘M’ now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did steal the sum of N41,150,000.00 (Forty One Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only), property of one Igwe Ann ‘F’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287(9) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III:” That you, BABAJIDE ALADEJOBI ‘M’ on the 4th April, 2025 in the day time, at State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, in the Lagos State Magisterial District did attempt to pervert Justice by falling to produced one Theophilus Bakanon ‘M’ whom you stood surety for his release from Police Custody in connection with alleged case of stealing and thereby Committed an offence under section 97(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

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COUNT IV:”That you, BABAJIDE ALADEJOBI ‘M’ on the 4th April, 2025 in the time at State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, in the Lagos State gisterial district, did become an accessory after the fact to felony by aiding Theophilus Bakanon ‘M’ to escape the course of Justice and thereby mmitted an offence punishable under Section 415 of Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.