Admin l Sunday, March 25, 2018
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A businessman, Babagbemiga Olaiya has said that the Lagos State Government office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP exonerated him over allegations of forcible entry, forcible possession and conspiracy brought against him by the police.
Babagbemiga in a statement issues on Sunday stated that the need to clarify the issue of his erroneous arraignment and subsequent exoneration since 2017, arose due to recent insinuations in some quarters that he is still facing trial for land grabbing allegations. The businessman noted that the matter has since been put to rest through an advice issued by the DPP warning that he would take necessary legal action against anyone tarnishing his reputation.
Narrating how the police almost succeeded in prosecuting him for a crime he never committed, Babagbemiga stated that sometime in June 2015, he purchased a parcel of land from one Alhaji AbdulRauf Tijani not knowing that the title deed for the property was forged.
During a tussle for the ownership of the land, Babagbemiga noted several persons including him and the original land owners were arrested by the police and charged before an Igbosere Magistrates Court for conspiracy , forcible entry and forcible possession. According to him, the case file was subsequently referred to the DPP office for legal advice.
Babagbemiga noted that a legal advice signed by a Deputy Director in the DPP office, Dr. Jide Martin dated May 15, 2017 advised that there was no sufficient evidence to link him to the alleged crime. The legal advise attached to the statement by the businessman reads:
“After a careful consideration of the facts contained in the duplicate case file, this office is of the considered opinion that there are sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case of conspiracy to commit a felony and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace contract to sections 411 and 168 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015 against Kareem Suleiman and Ibrahim Olayinka.
” A criminal case of conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery and using false document contrary to sections 411 and 366 respectively of the criminal law, ch. C.17, Vol 3, laws of Lagos State, 2015 are disclosed against Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tijani and Alhaji Farry- Yusuf. However, there are no sufficient evidence to link Babagbemiga Olaiya, Ismaila Babatunde, Babalola Nofiu, Abiodun Ariori, Josephine Olaiya and Tajudeen Olubiyi to any crime”.
In a certified true copy of court hearing dated May 15, 2017 also attached to the statement, Magistrate Komolafe Abimbola discharged all the defendants following the DPP advice. Babagbemiga warn those peddling the rumour of his non existent trial to be wary as he would not hesitate to take legal actions against them.
