A 64-year-old pensioner of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Pastor Charles Ayo Binitie, was on Monday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for alleged disregard for the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Pensioners Welfare Association and addressing himself as President of the body.
The port prosecutor, Inspector Adeniyi Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 29, 2019 at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Apapa.
“The defendant published and addressed himself as President of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Pensioners Welfare Association, in page 32 of the Punch Newspaper of October 29, 2019, in such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances to read, see or hear the content embodied in the newspaper with disregard to Suit No FHC/L/CS/5596/2008, Chief Ganiyu Jimoh Makanjuola and nine others versus Nigerian Ports Authority and thirteen others challenging the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners Welfare Association,” Balogun said.
According to him, the offence is punishable under section 150 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge filed against him.
Magistrate K.A Ariyo granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties are required to furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter till December 17, 2019 for mention.