CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting at Ogba has ordered the remand of a 58-year-old man, Egbert Oriyombo, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in connection with allegations of conspiracy, murder, burglary and theft of goods valued at N48,000,000.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu. The case was prosecuted by SP Philip Ademigbuji.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged offences occurred on June 15, 2026 at about 12:00am at Chrislanbolu Merchant Company on Ekoro Road, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District. Oriyombo is standing trial alongside others who are currently at large.
Prosecutors alleged in the first count that the defendant and others conspired to commit a felony, to wit: murder. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In the second count, he was accused of murdering one Ajayi Matthew Oluyomi on the same date and location. The offence is punishable under Section 222(1) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria.
The third count stated that the defendant and others allegedly broke into the warehouse of Chrislanbolu Merchant Company and stole goods valued at Forty-Eight Million Naira. This offence is punishable under Section 307(a)(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The fourth count alleged that the defendant stole goods worth N48,000,000, property of Chrislanbolu Merchant Company. The offence is punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
No plea was taken during the proceedings because Magistrate Courts in Lagos do not have jurisdiction to try murder cases.
During the arraignment, SP Philip Ademigbuji, informed the court of the charges and asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, 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 advice.
The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge was ASP Obeten Obeten of Command Special Squad II.
Legal procedure requires that cases involving murder be sent to the DPP for review. The DPP will examine the case file and advise whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial at the High Court. Until the DPP issues its advice, the Magistrate Court will only handle remand and mention dates.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine the jurisdiction.
Legal experts say the defendant is presumed Innocent until proven guilty by the Court of competent jurisdiction.