The police in Lagos, on Wednesday, charged two men, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, over alleged armed robbery.
The defendants Moses Adeodu, 34, and Wasiu Owolabi, 47, are standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, threat to life, belonging to unlawful society, and obstruction of police officers on duty.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offences on Sept. 27, at about 7:30 p.m. at Karaole Estate in Ogba, Lagos.
Ikhayere alleged that the first defendant (Adeodu) attacked one Mr Seun Banjo with a battle axe and broken bottles, and robbed him of his iphone 13, valued ₦470,000.
She alleged that the first defendant also sent life threatening WhatsApp messages to the complainant, warning him of imminent attack and death.
Meanwhile , the prosecution alleged that the second defendant (Owolabi) obstructed police officers attached to the Quick Response Team in Area G, by locking them out of the estate’s gate, while they were performing their lawful duties.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants also allegedly belonged to a proscribed group known as Aiye Confraternity,
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 117, 232, 297, 299 and 411, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
It also contravenes the provisions of section 2(3)(a–d) of the Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Law of Lagos State, 2021.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N600,000 each, with two reliable sureties each in like sum.
The court held that the sureties must be gainfully employed.
The case will be mentioned on Dec. 1.