LAGOS- An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has granted bail to a man, Akorede Hammed who was charged with murder.
A Senior Magistrate, Mr A.O. Komolafe, who gave the ruling, however, chided the police for not doing their job “satisfactorily and effectively’’.
The magistrate’s anger followed his discovery that the accused brought before him was not the accused as alleged by the police.
“This is not how to do the right job, and I do not see the need to punish or remand an innocent man who is just a victim of circumstance.
“This is only a case of an alibi, would you say because the ‘culprit’ is on the run so you should arraign another in his place?”
The Investigating Police Officer, Cpl. Felix Osogu, had earlier told the court that the main accused was on the run and he was only following orders of his superior officer to arraign Hammed.
of one Azeez Idowu.
The prosecutor, ASP Elizabeth Ekuma, had earlier told the court that Hammed, a bus driver, was given a vehicle to supervise and remit an agreed amount to the owner, the complainant (Joseph Emmanuel).
She explained that on February 28 at about 6.30 p.m. at Igbe Road in Ikorodu, that the corpse of one Azeez Idowu was found inside the said vehicle which had been abandoned.
“Hammed had given the vehicle to his friend, one Sunday, to use and remit a token of N4, 000 to him.
“But he failed to do so as the vehicle was found `abandoned’ in Ikorodu with a corpse inside it the following day.”
The accused, 25, a bus driver, is being tried for murder and conspiracy.
Ekuma said the offences contravened Sections 221and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Hammed, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate ordered that the case file should be forwarded to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
The accused was granted a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a blood relation.
He said the sureties should also provide evidence of tax payment to the state government.
The case has been adjourned till June 8.