By Adenike Ayodele
Ikeja – Three teenagers and four others on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged engagement in unlawful assembly and display of dangerous weapons.
The accused – all male are: Yusuf Lekan, 18; Adebisi Ibrahim, 19; Abioye Tosin, 18; Adebayo Salami, 22; Jamiu Oshodi, 32; Tunde Oshodi, 38; and Temitope Martins, 29.
They were charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly and breach of the peace.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The prosecution said that the accused conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by unlawful display of cutlasses, knives and broken bottles, thereby instilling fears in the neighbourhood.
Insp. Peter Nwangu submitted that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 9, at 2.30a. m. at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Nwangwu added that the accused armed themselves with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, knives and broken bottles, and invaded an event tagged “Christianity Show”, causing fear in the participants.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Y.O Aje-Afunwa, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N550, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.
Aje-Afunwa said that the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The offences contravene Sections 168, 51 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
Section 411 provides for two years’ jail term for conspiracy while 168 prescribes six months’ imprisonment for breach of the peace.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 14, for mention.
(NAN)