Police Arraign Two Motorcycle Operators Over Crisis At Trade Fair Complex

The defendants, Haruna Abubakar, 49, and Lawal Ali, 46, were arraigned before Court 3 Ojo on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly, inciting motorcyclists and circulating false information.

According to the Charge Sheet marked CHARGE NO. 03/1/181/26, with the case titled Commissioner of Police Vs Haruna Abubakar and Lawal Ali, the incident occurred on the 7th day of October, 2026, at about 0730hrs at Trade Fair Complex Exit Gate, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District.

The Police, in Count I, alleged that the two defendants and others still at large, on the said date, time and place, did conspire among themselves to commit a misdemeanour to wit: unlawful assembly, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count II, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner as to cause fear to members of the public on the same date, time and place, with intent to carry out a common unlawful purpose by inciting motorcyclists operating at Trade Fair Complex against the duly elected motorcyclist union executives led by one Oluyemi Olajide.

The Police alleged that by inciting the motorcyclists against their leadership, the defendants committed an offence contrary to Section 44(1) and punishable under Sub-section (4) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count III, the defendants and others at large were alleged to have conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by circulating a false signed circular written both in English and Hausa Language dated 08/02/2026, purporting to suspend the duly elected motorcyclist executives of Trade Fair Complex branch led by Oluyemi Olajide.

The offence, according to the Police, is contrary to Section 168(d) and punishable under Sub-section (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Charge Sheet was signed by CSP Elebute Olabisi, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trade Fair Division, while Inspector Afowobi Oluseyi was listed as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO). The prosecutor in the matter is listed as SP Uche Simon.

The defendants were arraigned on 7/10/2026 before His Honour, L. K. J. Layeni (Mr), sitting at Court 3 Ojo Magisterial District. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.

However, the defendants were remanded in custody at the Correctional Facility pending the perfection of bail conditions and the matter was adjourned to 2/12/26 for mention.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the Court of competent jurisdiction.