Admin l Wednesday, February 09, 2022
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amarachukwu Asonta, ( 27) female and Adebayo Ajayi, (32) male were today remanded in detention over alleged armed robbery.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala ordered remand of the duo following their not guilty plea to a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. The charges were proffered against them by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According the Director of the Lagos State DPP, Dr Jide Martins, the NSCDC officers committed the offences at 2.20am on Jan. 30, 2018 along Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba, Lagos.
“The defendants and others who are now at large, while armed with guns and other offensive weapons hijacked an Iveco container truck with registration no – LSR746XD. The truck contained 1,700 cartons of Chelsea and Action Bitters drinks valued at N2.7million, way bills, mobile phones and unspecified amount of cash,” the DPP said.
Following the arraignment of the NSCDC officers, the DPP requested that the defendants should be remanded at the Correctional Center.
“My lord, the matter has been since 2018. The defendant are officers of the NSCDC. They have been evading the court and the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest. The first defendant (Asonta) had to be arrested with the aid of the NSCDC,” Martins said.
The offences contravene Sections 297(2)(b) and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Following the submission of the DPP, the defence counsel, Mr Dapo Daramola informed the court that he had filed an application for the bail of the defendants.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala ordered the remand of the defendants at the Correctional Center and adjourned the case until Feb. 23 for the hearing of the bail application.