The Port Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (PCIID) of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday arraigned three truck drivers before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly using their trucks to block the road leading to the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
The truck drivers are Ibrahim Ayoola (25), Adegoke Elizah (30) and Isa Olalekan (32). They are facing a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy, breach of peace, obstruction and unlawful damage.
The port prosecutor, Alexander Esebamen told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 6, 2018 along Creek Road, Apapa.
“The defendants conspired together in such a manner to cause persons in the neighbourhood to fear and by such assembly provoked other persons to disturb the public peace,” Esebamen said.
Esebamen added that the defendants acted in a disorderly manner as to disturb the public peace by using trucks number FKJ 95 XB, KTU 969 XM and AGL 672 XA to block the road leading to the port complex, which prevented entry and exit of trucks and vehicles from the port.
The port prosecutor also said that the defendants wilfully and unlawfully destroyed six plastic chairs and one Mikano canopy valued at N53,000 property of the Nigeria Police.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 411, 44(4), 45(2) and 350 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each in like sum.
The surety according to the Magistrate must furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case till July 19, 2018 for mention.