KINGSLEY EBERE
A Police officer, Okon Samson, attached to Ojo Division, is nursing his wounds after he went to Alaba Rago Market, Ojo area of Lagos, to arrest a suspected drug dealer as he was brutally attacked and battered by the suspect on getting to the station.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 37-year old suspect, Malachi Anyaji, has been arrested and charged for the alleged assault over his alleged conduct.
The incident happened on the 8th day of May, 2025 at about 1130hrs at Alaba Rago Market, Ojo, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect was apprehended at the market for being in possession of drugs suspected to be Indian hemp and taken to the station.
When they got to the station, he thought that it was the usual settlement only to discover that the victim was out to enforce the law. He then attacked the officer at the station and injured him in the process.
The Police immediately arrested and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Malachi Anyaji ‘M’on the 8th day of May, 2025, at about 1130hrs at Alaba Rago Market, Ojo, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did have in your possession substance suspected to be Indian Hemp and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 329 (A) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Malachi Anyaji ‘M’ on the same date at about 1150hrs at Ojo Police Station, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did assault one PC. Okon Samson ‘M’ by giving him blows on his face and inflicting injury on his face, while performing his lawfully duty as a Police Officer and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 174 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Malachi Anyaji ‘M’ on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by causing disorderliness at Ojo Police Station, Ojo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, 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, Mrs. O.M. Ogun, 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.