Four persons, who allegedly assaulted an employee of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Samuel Odukoya, were on Tuesday arraigned at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The suspects, Jide Taiwo, Emeka Ndubisi, Anuoluwapo Odukoya and Blessing Aloysus, all residents of Ifako-Gbagada area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge of assault and breach of public peace levelled against them.
The prosecutor, Inspector Roman, told the court that the accused beat up Odukoya while on lawful duty on March 3, at No. 20, Ifateludo Street, Ifako-Gbagada.
Roman said the IKEDC official was performing his official duty when the four suspects and others at large assaulted him. In the process, the victim’s N27,000 was stolen.
The third count read: “That you, Blessing Aloysus, on March 4, at No. 30, Diya Street, Ifako-Gbagada, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by illegally connecting light that was disconnected the day earlier by the IKEDC official and did steal electric power belonging to IKEDC, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 166 and Section 293 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.”
The magistrate, Mr. P.A. Ojo, granted the suspects bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State government and have their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned till April 5, 2017 for mention.
