By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent)
An octogenarian, Habbib Ajibawo, was on Thursday, March 1 brought before an Igboseere Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos presided over by Chief Magistrate (Mrs) O. Oshin on allegations of arson, attempted murder, threat to life, land grabbing and breach of public peace.
The 80-year old man was charged to court by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police, Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos with a remand application to keep him in prison custody pending the transfer of his case to a High Court for arraignment for the alleged offences.
In his submission on the remand application filed by FCID before the court, the prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun told the court how the 80-year old man and others still at large, conspired among themselves to commit offences bordering on malicious damage, attempted murder, arson, assault, threat to Life, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, forceful takeover of parcels of land in the entire lpaja Area, in lpaja-Ayobo Local Government Development, Lagos State.
The FCID counsel further submitted before the court that reasons for applying for the remand of the old man (suspect) was because he was arrested at a place with exhibits which include offensive weapons, his confessional statement, and was equally identified by victims of the offence.
Animashaun told the court that the remand application against Ajibawo, was pursuant to Section 246(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos State Law, 2015, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
He therefore urged the court to remand the suspect in custody until when the police will conclude its investigation and arraign him properly before a High Court.
However, lawyer to the suspect, O. Monye, pleaded with the court not to grant the remand application, rather the court should consider the age of his client and admit him to bail in the most liberal term.
Ruling on the submissions of the police and the lawyer to the suspect, the presiding magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000, with one surety in same like sum.
While adjourning the case till March 28 for mention, the magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded in prisons custody pending the perfection of his bail term.
