MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 28-year old suspected armed robber, Saka Ibrahim, has claimed to be a cultist after he was caught with a locally made pistol and live cartridges on his way for an operation in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Police operatives from the Tactical team, Area M, Annex, Ijegun area of Lagos, arrested Ibrahim on 17th November, 2024, at Iba down to Idimu area during routine monitoring in the area.
When he was accosted and searched, the Police discovered the items and immediately arrested and detained at the station for interrogation as a suspected armed robber.
However, during the interrogation, he confessed and admitted to be a cultist instead of an armed robber.
But the claim did not save him because the Police still found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal law of the State.
The charges read:
COUNT 1:”That you, Saka Ibrahim ‘m’, and others still at large on the 17th of November, 2024 between the hours of 1500hrs to 1700hrs at Iba down to Idimu in Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves armed with a gun and thereby committed felony to wit unlawful possession of arm contrary to Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II:
“That you, Saka Ibrahim ‘m’, and others now at large on the 17th of November, 2024, along Egbeda Idimu Road at about 1500hrs to 1700hrs in the aforementioned magisterial district, confirmed to be in possession of a locally made pistol with one live cartridge and could not give account of the fire arms in your possession and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 330 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Saka Ibrahim ‘M’ and others now large on the same date, tine and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did manage an unlawful society known as Cult by encouraging the disturbance of peace in Iba, Igando Egbeda and its environs without lawful authority in a manner as to cause terror in the neighbourhood and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 40(2)(e)(g) and punishable under Section 41 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned till 15th January, 2025, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.