Man, 65, Sent To Prison For Standing As Surety For Friend

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 65-year old man, Tijani Ishola, has landed in trouble after he stood as surety for a friend, Mutai Umoru, at a police station in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS confirmed the friend,Umoru, jumped bail; secretly parked his property and escaped to an unknown place leaving Ishola to his fate.

The incident happened at Area M Idimu Command where Umoru was detained and Ishola went with the promise to bring him any time the police requested for him.
However, when Umoru was released from custody, he realised that the police had serious criminal evidence against him and he will be jailed if he was taken to Court. He then bolted away without informing his friend, Ishola, who stood as surety for him.
When the police needed Umoru’s attention at the station, they then contacted Ishola to produce him. It was then Ishola told the police that he could not find him as Umoru had ran away after he was released from custody.
The police in turn arrested Ishola and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for obstruction and perversion of justice by aiding Umoru’s escape.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector G. Simon, asked the court to give a date for hearing since the defendant pleaded not guilty in order for police to prove the charge.
Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 15th April, 2019.