A 59-year-old surety, identified as Eric Owuama, was on Monday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly failing to produce a clearing agent at the police station.
Owuama is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and failure to produce suspect.
The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 29, 2017 at about 10am at Festac Police Station, Festac Town, Lagos.
“The defendant conspired with one Stephen Ifeanyi Eke to obstruct, prevent or defeat the course of justice,” Aigbokhan said.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant stood as surety for one Stephen Ifeanyi Eke of Plot 3674, Engr Uchenadu Street, Lekkeviev Estate, Amuwo-Odofin in the sum of N22 million involving a case of obtaining goods by false pretence and stealing the sum of N5.8 million and to produce him (Eke) at the station on every date as required.
“As on July 2, 2019 he (Owuama) was required to produce Eke for DPO’s interview but he was did not show up and other subsequent dates,” Aigbokhan said.
According to him, the defendant should show cause why the bail bond entered into by him should not be forfeited in accordance to sections 97(3) and 132 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
The sureties are required to furnish the court with proof of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
According to her, one of the sureties must be a clergy.
She adjourned the case till August 28, 2019 for mention.