Man dispossesses police officer of rifle in Apapa

Four docked for stealing items worth N.7m at Apapa port
Illustrative picture. PHOTO CREDIT: Comansu

A 22-year-old man, identified as Paul Andew, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting and dispossessing an Inspector of Police of his rifle in Apapa.

Andew is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, dispossessing of rifle, assault and tearing police uniform.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on February 10, 2019 at about 11pm at Mile 2 Bus Stop, Apapa.

“The defendant conspired together with one other at large to attempt to dispossessed rifle from Inspector Rotimi James,” Bassey said.

The prosecutor also said that the defendant unlawfully assaulted Inspector James by giving him fist blows all over his face, which caused him bodily harm.

Bassey added that the defendant maliciously tore Inspector James’ uniform into pieces.

According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 411, 406(1), 174(b) and 339(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.

Magistrate A.S Okubule granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to the Magistrate, must be resident within the court jurisdiction.

One of the sureties must be a Level 7 personnel.

She adjourned the case till March 4, 2019 for mention.