CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
What residents of Ijegun described as a bizarre incident has landed a 46-year-old man, Gani Tope Yaya, before a Lagos Magistrate Court.
Yaya was arraigned on Friday over allegations that he killed a cow entrusted to him for safekeeping and used it for pepper soup, and also sold three goats belonging to the same owner without permission.
According to the Police charge sheet marked CHIKHAN/24/8/2926, the incident occurred sometime in July 2025 at No. 30 Ajibola Street, Ijegun, Lagos, within the Lagos State Magisterial District.
The prosecutor told the court that Yaya “did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by killing a cow kept under his custody by one Fajobi Adekunle without his consent”. The offence is contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.
The Police also alleged in the second count that the defendant sold one cow and three goats valued at ₦650,000.00 belonging to the same complainant and converted the proceeds to his personal use. The prosecution said the act is punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015, which bothers on stealing.
Witnesses in the community said the livestock had been handed over to Yaya for safekeeping. Instead of keeping them, he allegedly slaughtered the cow and reportedly turned it into pepper soup, while the goats and the remaining cow were allegedly sold.
The charge sheet was signed by SP. Ogbonoko Grace, while the case is being prosecuted by IPO: ASP. Imoina Andrew with SP Josephine Ihkayere leading prosecution in court.
When the charges were read to him, Yaya pleaded not guilty to both counts. Following his plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted the defendant bail with two sureties. The court ordered that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood, tax payment, and have their addresses verified by the court.
Pending the perfection of his bail conditions, the Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town. The matter was adjourned for mention to a later date.
The case has generated discussions in the Ijegun community, with many residents expressing shock that livestock entrusted for safekeeping could allegedly be slaughtered and sold.
Legal practitioners who spoke on the matter noted that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law, and that the court will determine the case based on evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.