Homeless Man In Prison For Sleeping Inside Parked Vehicle

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 50-year old man, Olawole Salau who was caught inside a parked vehicle and suspected to be criminal has narrated that he was not a criminal but was only sleeping inside the vehicle as his house; because he could not afford to rent an apartment in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Salau was arrested inside a vehicle at Amusa Street in Ilasamaja after one of the residents, Atanda Oluwafemi’s reported that his property was missing and Salau was suspected to have stolen it.

But the Kwara State-born Salau denied the allegation and revealed that he was married, had children, had to abandon them and came to Lagos because of hardship.

He said since he had no money to rent any apartment, he had been sleeping inside vehicles for three years and was doing menial jobs to survive.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Salau landed into trouble after some items were stolen on the street he slept that night.

He was caught and accused of being a suspected criminal and then handed over to the Police at Ilasamaja Division.

At the station, he maintained that he was not a criminal and did not steal the items but was being punished for his poor condition and homeless situation.

Salau further said that it was not the first time that he was accused of being a criminal because he slept on the streets but was always cleared after clarifications.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the police arrested Salau, detained him at the station but he escaped and returned to his base where he was re-arrested.

The police however charged him before Isolo Magistrates court for stealing and escape from police custody under the Criminal Code.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Oje Uagbale did not object his bail but asked the court to grant him bail that will enable him to come to court for trial.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr A.O. granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.

The matter was adjourned till 4 August 2017.