Surety lands in court
Cecilia Omeire
A 50-year-old surety, Okechukwu Amaefuna, who allegedly aided the escape of a theft suspect, on Thursday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a three-count charge.
Amaefuna, whose residential address was not given, is standing trial for conspiracy and perversion of the cause of justice.
The prosecutor, ASP Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that Amaefuna conspired with others at large to aid escape of one Kehinde Adetola for whom he stood as surety in a case of theft of two trucks worth N30 million.
Eshiet stated that the surety committed the offences on Feb. 5, 2014, at 4:00p.m, at Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
He stated that Adetola was under investigation for stealing at the police headquarters.
“The accused stood as surety for Adetola at the police headquarters, and promised to produce him whenever he would be needed.
“The accused failed to produce the suspect on Feb. 6, 2014 and subsequent dates,” Eshiet stated.
As stated by the prosecutor, the allegedly stolen trailers, marked KRD 827 XD and KRD 828 XD, belong to Alhaji Jimoh Ibrahim of Jay Jibs Ventures.
Eshiet submitted that the accused would be required to forfeit N10 million to the Lagos State Government or show why he would not forfeit the sum.
He stated that the offences contravened Sections 97, 132, and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The surety, however, pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate, Mrs S. K. Matepo, admitted him to N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
She stated that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused and gainfully employed.
The case has been adjourned till March 6 for mention.