5 Okada riders land in court after assaulting police officer

The Lagos state police Command, on Tuesday prosecuted Damzuru Musa, Khalid Yaya, Shaaban Haruna, Bashiru Yinusa, and Tijani Musa before Magistrate O.Y. Adefope at the Yaba Chief Magistrate Court.

The defendants stand accused of assaulting police officers, causing bodily injury, rioting, and breach of the peace.

The defendants face four charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, assault on police officers causing serious bodily injury, and rioting.

Prosecutor Haruna Magaji informed the court that the alleged offences occurred on March 25, 2024, at approximately 7:00 am.

Magaji stated that a distress call reached the Ikorodu Police Division that ASP Azeez, Inspector Adebisi Michael, and Sergeant Idako Yusuf, all attached to Mopol 2, Ikeja, were under attack by okada riders at the Igbodu Junction, Ijede Road, Ikorodu.

According to the prosecutor, a group of okada riders protesting at the junction saw the police officers and proceeded to throw stones at them, physically assault them, and burn a motorcycle belonging to one of the officers.

Following the call, our correspondent learnt that the Divisional Police Officer led a team to the scene and discovered that three police officers were injured, the service pistol of one officer was stolen, and a motorcycle was set ablaze.

Magaji added that statements from eyewitnesses and the assaulted officers serve as evidence against the defendants. The alleged offences violate Sections 411, 162 (1) (d), 172, and 341 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Magistrate O.Y. Adefope set the bail at N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum noting that the sureties must be gainfully employed with verifiable addresses.

Adefope adjourned the case until May 22, 2024, for mention.

PUNCH Metro had in February reported that a woman was captured on camera assaulting a police officer. The incident reportedly followed a heated argument with the officer.

In light of this event, the Lagos State Police Command urged Lagosians to be law-abiding in their daily interactions with all members of the public emphasising that any individual found guilty of violating the law would face legal consequences.