Police arraign 5 in Lagos over possession of firearms

The Lagos State Police Command charged five defendants before a Federal High Court on Thursday over alleged possession of firearms.

The defendants, Esther Newman, aka Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide, Esther Akere and Okey Okebalam, were charged on counts bordering on conspiracy, inducement to police to prevent arrest, dealing in drugs, possession of live ammunition and AK-47 firearms.

They appeared before Justice Ibrahim Kala on a five-count charge preferred against them by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti.

Mr Julio Hodonu appeared for the prosecution, while I.O. Antia appeared for the fourth and fifth defendants. Meanwhile, the first to third defendants had no counsel.

The prosecutor, after the defendants pleaded not guilty, urged the court to remand them in custody and sought a trial date, adding that the proof of evidence is before the court.

In response, counsel for the fourth and fifth defendants informed the court of a bail application on behalf of the defendants, while the prosecution confirmed receipt of the process.

The defence counsel asked the court to grant bail to the defendants on liberal terms, which the prosecution did not oppose.

The judge subsequently granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in the same sum.

The judge also ruled that one of the sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction while the other must be a grade 16 officer.

He ordered that the documents of the property must be verified by the prosecution with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.

The fourth and fifth defendants were ordered to be remanded until the completion of their bail.

However, the first to third defendants who are not on bail are to be remanded in custody until March 20, the next adjourned date for trial.