The Port Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Apapa, on Wednesday arraigned four stowaways before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly boarding a ship without purchasing tickets.
The four stowaways are Henry Tyohuna (27), James David (21), Simeon Francis (32) and Alika Cesaro (25). They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stowaway.
The port prosecutor, Sergeant Adeniyi Balogun, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on September 9, 2018 at Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa.
“The defendants conspired together with others at large, entered KEDRO’S VESSEL with the intention of travelling to Europe without purchasing tickets or being a passenger of a ship,” Balogun said.
Balogun presented the facts of the case before the court and adoing that, the offences were punishable under sections 412 and 400 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The first and second defendants pleaded guilty while the third and fourth defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Magistrate O.A Erinle sentenced the first and second defendants to 12 hours community service while the third and fourth defendants were granted bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety each in like sum.
She adjourned the matter till October 3, 2018 for mention.