It was an emotional moment at Ejigbo Magistrate Court following the remand of a 45-year old man, Olasunkanmi Ogunkoya, in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, over his inability to perfect his N10,000 bail condition for allegedly stealing copper wire worth N10,000.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the defendant, Ogunkoya, was brought before the Court for allegedly stealing the copper wire belonging to one Lanre Atitebi and he was nearly mobbed before he was rescued and handed over to the Police at Ejigbo Division.
The incident happened on 31st July, 2023, at Jakande Gate, Ejigbo area of Lagos.
The Police alleged that the defendant, Ogunkoya and one Isiaka, now at large, conspired and stole the items worth the amount. And the alleged offence under Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of the State attracts imprisonment.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty before the Court when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give short adjournment for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K Dosumu-Uthman, granted him bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum.
He was then remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions because Ogunkoya had nobody to stand as surety for him.
While he was being taken into custody, Ogunkoya lamented that despite the fact that he did not commit the alleged offence, he was ready to change his plea and state that he was guilty because none of his family members will afford the N10,000 bail conditions in order to free him from custody.
His comment drew emotional expressions from those present at the Court premises as he was being remanded pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.