Eight persons arrested during the reprisal attacks and protests which followed the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa have been arraigned before the Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.
The accused were arraigned on an eight-count charge of breaking and entry, arson, malicious damage and stealing.
The suspects were arrested by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ilasan Division, Lekki, Lagos, CSP Oyinye Onwuamaegbu, and her men.
Recall that some Lagosians had targeted South African owned businesses in Nigeria in the heat of the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals by South Africans and many had used the opportunity to loot businesses, some of which were not owned by South Africa.
The accused persons were identified as Sunday Gabriel, 19; Emmanuel Michael,24; Kola Muhammed, 24; Muhammed Musa 22.
Others included Marvelous Solomon, 18; Jimoh Habeeb, 28; Adams Olumide, 19; and Tobi Odewale ,29.
According to the Police charge, “the accused persons and others still at large on 3 September 2019 during the Xenophobic protests in Lagos broke and entered a commercial store, Maybrands at Lekki and stole phones and wristwatches valued at N2m and belonging to one Olufemi Adebayo.”
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The Police also alleged that the accused persons set fire on a transformer valued N4.5m belonging to EKO Electricity Distribution Company, and a Police van with reg. No NPF 2355 D.
They were also accused of causing damage to a Toyota Hilux Van with Reg . No SMK FR belonging to Usman Sulaimon.
Furthermore, the Police alleged that the accused attacked one John Chike and robbed him of various properties including Laptop computers valued at N2m.
The suspects were equally accused of blocking the ever busy Lekki-Epe Expressway, to attack and rob motorists and commuters of their phones and money.
The Police said the accused persons were arrested when concerned residents of Lekki sent a distress call to DPO Onuwamaegbu about the crisis and she led her men to the scene to restore order and succeeded in arresting the accused persons while others escaped.
Items recovered from the accused persons, according to the Police included 10 expensive phones and 12 Laptop computers belonging to victims.
Police counsel, Chinedu Njoku told the court in charge NO B\53\2019 that the offences, the accused committed were punishable under Sections 411, 314, 340, 309(i), 350, 287 and 34 of the criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.
All the accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum by Chief Magistrate, Folashade Botoku.
She adjourned the case till October 21, for mention and ordered that the defendants be kept at the Ikoyi prison till they perfect the bail conditions.
