Court
For alleged willful destruction of property valued at N120 million, a 45 years old land grabber, Emeka John Onugha has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Igbosere.
The suspect was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku by Inpector-General Monitoring Team, (IGP Monitoring) Abuja on a seven count-charge
His offence borders on conspiracy, felony, willful destruction of building, forcible entry, conduct likely to breach public peace and threat to kill.
The police in a charge marked B/88a/2018, alleged that the defendant and others now at large, sometimes in March 2018, at Oko-Ado, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, of Lagos, conspired among themselves and forcibly entered into a large expanse of land belonging to Hassan Ogwu Aku and Smart Clement.
The police alleged that during the said unlawful entry into the said land, the suspects also willfully demolished a building valued at N120 million, which belonged to the two complainants.
The defendant was also alleged to have on the said date, conducted themselves in the manner that caused breach of public peace.
Prosecution counsel, Morufu Animashaun told the Court that the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 52, 350 168(b) and 56(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. And Sections 2(3) and 7 of the Properties Protection Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter till October10, for commencement of trial.
Prior to the arraignment, Animashaun told the court that the defendant was charged to court following a petition against him by the Inspectors-General Monitoring Team, (IGP Monitoring) under the leadership of Mr. Habu Sanni.
He said that upon careful investigating the petition, the defendant was found culpable of all allegations in the petition.
