Admin l Tuesday, February 14, 2018
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A retired general, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tijani collapsed in Maximum Security Prison and was subsequently taken to hospital, a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja has been told.
Tijani’s lawyer, O.A. Afolabi informed Justice Hakeem Oshodi that his client scheduled for arraignment suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital hence he could not be arraigned.
“My Lord, the prison warders informed me that the 1st defendant, Tijani slumped inside the prison yesterday and has been admitted at the hospital.
“Since then, he is yet to recover fully in order to appear in court for his arraignment.
Justice Oshodi however called on the leader of the team from Kirikiri who confirmed the development. The retired general, 67 was to be arraigned for attempted murder and robbery . Tijani was to be arraigned alongside Akanni Suada on a five count charge of attempted murder, robbery, assault occasioning harm and killing of an unborn child.
However, according to the charge, the incidence occurred on October 11, 2013 at No. 117 Akowonjo Road, Lagos.
Part of the charge read that, ” Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tijani and Akanni Suada on October 11, 2013 attempted to kill one Maria Febisola (F) by shooting her with a gun.
“Tijani and Suada while armed with a rifle did rob one maria Febisola of the sum of N2. 5 Million and a handbag containing some cash jewelry worth N3m”. The duo were also accused of unlawfully killing an unborn child by causing rupture of the foetus in the womb of one Abidemi Ahmed (F).
The offences of attempted murder, robbery and killing of unborn child, committed were contrary to Sections 228, 295, 234 respectively of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. Meanwhile, at an earlier proceeding on February 5, 2018 Afolabi had pleaded for bail for his client whom he said is a Retired General and an Elder Statesman.
Afolabi said, “My Lord, the first defendant is a retired General and an Elder statesman and cannot run away”. The judge however turned down the request and ordered that the defendant by remanded in prison custody pending his arraignment.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi thereafter adjourned the matter till March 19 for arraignment and commencement of trial.
