The Anti-Pipeline Unit of the Police on Tuesday arraigned four
men, including a police sergeant, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for
allegedly kidnapping nine policemen at Arepo, near Ikorodu in Lagos.
Godwin German (36), Tamarami Tunwa (23), Sergeant Akowe Jacob (41)
and Mayibi Hazeez (29) were charged with nine counts of kidnapping.
The “kidnapped” policemen are an Assistant Superintendent of Police
Abdullahi Bature; Inspectors Raymond Oriere, Usman Mohammed, Oguntimehin
Kolawole, Tijani Jimoh and Corporals Elogbamen Timothy, Yakubu Aliyu, Usman
Abdulkareem and Dauda Mohammed.
The prosecution counsel, Raymond Odion, said the accused persons
allegedly conspired to commit the offence on May 24 at about 9pm at Arepo.
The alleged offence is punishable under Section 33(1) (a) of the
Terrorism Prevention Act 2011.
The four accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Odion prayed the court to remand them in prison until their trial
is concluded.
But defence counsel, Chief S.W. Baidi, said he filed a bail
application for the accused persons.
According to him, bail is a discretionary remedy, but the
Constitution allows the applicants the benefit of being presumed innocent until
proven guilty.
“The offence that the defendants were charged with is a bailable
one, which attracts not more than 20 years on conviction.
“The accused persons are all responsible, especially the third
defendant, who is a sergeant and has not been dismissed.
“He was in the process of writing a promotional exam for the rank
of Inspector when he was arrested,” Baidi said.
Justice Muhammed Yunusa adjourned to September 15 for ruling on
the bail application.
Source:
The Nation Newspaper
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