Man, 38, Lands In Kirikiri For Standing As Surety For Female Suspect At Alausa

Emmanuel was arraigned before Magistrate L.A Owolabi at the Ikeja Magisterial District Court on a one-count charge of failing to produce a suspect, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The charge was filed by the Commissioner of Police with Charge No: 710/9/26 and was prosecuted by SP Josephine Ihkayere.

According to the charge sheet, Tony Emmanuel ‘M’, aged 38, on the 19th day of August, 2026, at Alausa Police Station, Alausa, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, stood as surety for one Esther Lious ‘F’, who was involved in a case of conspiracy and stealing and failed to produce her to the Police.

Police investigation revealed that the female suspect, Esther Lious, who was granted administrative bail at Alausa Police Station, discovered that the evidence against her in the stealing case was weighty and that she would likely go to jail if the case proceeds.

Upon realizing that she would likely be convicted, the female suspect absconded and left the defendant to his fate, failing to report back to Alausa Police Station as required by her bail conditions.

When the charge was read to the defendant in court, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Magistrate L.A Owolabi subsequently granted him bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.

The court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri town, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the defendant had voluntarily entered into a bail bond at Alausa Police Station and undertook to produce the female suspect whenever required by the Police.

She said the defendant failed to honour the undertaking after the female suspect jumped bail and disappeared.

The charge reads: “That you, Tony Emmanuel ‘M’, on the 19th day of August, 2026 at Alausa Police Station Alausa Ikeja in the Ikeja Magisterial District did stand as surety for one Esther Lious ‘F’ who was involved in the case of conspiracy and stealing and you failed to produce her to the Police and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

The case was investigated by PC Adeniji Adekunle of Alausa Division.

Legal experts say standing as surety at Alausa Police Station or any Police station is a serious legal obligation, as the surety undertakes to produce the suspect whenever required.

They noted that under Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, a surety who fails to produce a suspect is criminally liable and may be prosecuted and jailed.

They advised members of the public to be cautious when standing as surety for any suspect, especially when they do not know the full background of the suspect or the weight of the allegation against such suspect.

The court has adjourned the matter for mention pending the perfection of bail and trial.

As at the time of filing this report, the female suspect, Esther Lious, who jumped bail at Alausa Police Station, is still at large and efforts are being made by the Police to rearrest her to face her own charge of conspiracy and stealing.