Surety docked for failing to produce clearing agent in court

arrested man with handcuff

A 34-year-old surety identified as Obi Kelechi was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly failing to produce the defendant in court.

The prosecutor, Alexander Esebamen told the court that the surety committed the offence on September 20, 2017 at Apapa Magistrate Court 2.

Esebamen said Kelechi was a surety to one Magnus Chukwuemeka in Charge No C/184/2015. According to the charge, Chukwuemeka was said to have allegedly collected the sum of N2,065,000 from one John Leo Okpala to clear a 20-foot container by false pretence. The content in the container were wardrobe hangers and spare parts valued at N12,812,500.

The prosecutor added that the surety perverted the course of justice by refusing to produce Chukwuemeka on December 14, 2017 when the case was called.

Esebamen mentioned that the surety had entered into a recognizance in the sum of N5,000,000 to produce Chukwuemeka from time to time as may be required by the  court, but without any lawful reason or excuse failed to do so.

According to him, the offence contravened Sections 97 (1) and 122 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

She however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge against her.

Magistrate Temitope Babalola granted her bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case till March 5, 2018 for mention.  

In a separate development, two men, identified as Pius Francis 38 and Haruna Sani 35, were on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly extorting money from motorists at Apapa.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Friday Inedu told the court that the defendants committed the offence on January 24, 2018 at about 8:54pm under the Marine Bridge in Apapa.

Inedu said the defendants collected unauthorized tolls from innocent motorists.

According to him, the offence contravened Sections 411 and 168 (b and f) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge bothering on conspiracy and extortion.

In his ruling, Magistrate Temitope Babalola granted the defendants bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case till February 12, 2018 for mention.