A 43-year-old man, Opeyemi Owolabi, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrate Court over allegations of conspiracy, breach of peace, willful damage, reckless driving and instigating mob action against the Police around the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.
The defendant was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police on a four-count charge before the court sitting in the Ikeja Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Airport Command, the first alleged offence occurred on May 18, 2026 at about 1600hrs at NAHCO Junction within the airport premises.
In Count 1, the prosecution alleged that Owolabi and others at large conspired to commit felony, specifically stealing. The offence was said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count 2 stated that on May 19, 2026 at about 1500hrs, also at NAHCO Junction, the defendant and others at large allegedly conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace. The charge said the action led to mob action against the Police.
The prosecution stated that the alleged conduct is contrary to Section 168 (1) (d) and punishable under Section 168 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count 3, the defendant was alleged to have willfully damaged property on May 19, 2026 at about 1520hrs at Onipanu area, Ilupeju. Items listed included one kiosk and other items valued at Four Hundred Thousand Naira, property of one Damilola Wagha. A Police Patrol Nissan Pick-up Van with Reg. No. NPF 9970 was also allegedly damaged. The offence is punishable under Section 350 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.
Count 4 bordered on dangerous driving. The prosecution alleged that on May 19, 2026 at about 1600hrs, the defendant drove a Pontiac Vibe with Reg. No. KSF 321 HY dangerously and recklessly between NAHCO Junction and Onipanu area of Ilupeju.
The charge further alleged that the reckless driving caused a serious motor accident and injury to one Abdulrazaq Islamia. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 50 of the Road Traffic Act of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2018.
The charge sheet was signed and dated May 20, 2026 by DCP Okunola Akinlolu Sunday of DOPS, Airport Command, Lagos. The Investigating Police Officer listed was Inspector Momoh Abdulazeez.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Adeitan Oluwabunmi, then asked the Court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations. The presiding Magistrate, M.A. Agbaje, granted him bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at Kirikiri Correctional facility pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.