Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Lagos States Government has arraigned 50 suspects before Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi of Court 4, Ikeja Magisterial District over attack and vandalization of government equipment (caterpillar) around Idansan Village, Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos
Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the suspects including 4 girls attacked officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) while on official duties demolishing illegal shanties errected on acquired land and set fire on a caterpillar belonging to the government.
CSP Egbeyemi disclosed further that LASBCA the officials were attacked with stones, Iron-rods, broken bottles and burnt tyres before the arrival of the enforcement team of the Agency who rescued them.
He confirmed that investigation revealed that owners/occupiers of these illegal shanties were served necessary notices and were given months to evacuate all their belongings from government approved land for ‘Dangote Refinery’ around the area.
The Chairman stated that government equipment (caterpillar) worth millions used for clearing these illegal shanties was completely set ablaze with petrol by these suspects.
CSP Egbeyemi hinted these 50 arrested suspects were arraigned on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP EDGAL IMOHIMI.
The Commissioner of Police directed further that CSP Egbeyemi should arrest and prosecute any members of the public who vandalizes government properties across the State.
CP EDGAL IMOHIMI however implored members of the public to always protect government properties within their area as anyone caught vandalizing public properties including iron-mesh used for road demarcation along express ways would be seriously dealt with in accordancewith the law.
Further, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, the Head, Public Affairs Unit of Lagos State Task Force stated in the statement to newsmen that one of the arraigned suspect Henry Agbor (45yrs) who hailed from Abia State appealed to the government to tamper justice with mercy as they were mobilised with different weapons by owners of these illegal shanties to carry out the barbaric acts.
He promised “I will never attack any officials nor destroy public property again in my life if pardoned by the government”
The 50 suspects were arraigned on a 4-count charged of ‘Arson under section 341 (c)’, ‘Conspiracy under section 411’, ‘Conduct likely to cause breach of peace under section 168 (1) (d)’ and ‘Unlawful obstruction under section 117 (1) & (2) of the Lagos Law of Lagos State 2015.
Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi however on application remanded 50 of them in prison and immediately referred the case file to the Director, Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice on the matter due to one of the charges ‘Arson’ which carrys a ‘Life Imprisonment’.