A suspected land grabber, popularly called ‘Omo Onile, Adeola Rasaq Jikoji, was Thursday arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on charges bordering on conspiracy, land grabbing, unlawful invasion, willful and unlawful damage.
The 57 years old suspect was arraigned on six counts charge, before the court by the men of Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
Police alleged that the defendant and others now at large, on May 19, 2018, conspired among themselves and unlawful invaded a building situated at 54, Badore Road, opposite Black Gate Hotel, Ajah.
The prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, told the court that, the defendant was arrested following a petition written by the the owner of the building, Alhaji Hakeem Olatunji, to the Commissioner in-charge of general investigation FCIID, Mr. Hamed Mogaji, about the unlawful activities of the suspected land grabber.
The prosecutor also told the court that, upon receiving the petition, swung into action and investigated the alleged crime, and found the defendant culpable, and consequently charge him before the court.
During Barrister Animashaun told the court that the defendant with some hoodlums allegedly invaded the complaint’s home and destroyed the building, planks, office equipments, and building gate, which were valued at N9.8 million.
He also told the court that the action of the defendant caused breach of the public peace.
He said the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 52, 340, 168(d) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015. And Section 2 of Property Protection Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Bala Usman, urged the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms, as the alleged offences are bailable ones.
In granting bail to the defendant, the magistrate, Mr. Aro Lambo, admitted him to bail in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties in the same like sum.
The magistrate also ordered that the sureties must produce three years tax payable to the Lagos State government, means of livelihood and have their addresses verified by the prosecutor.
The magistrate, while adjourned the matter till August 14, for mention, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.