The Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, has arraigned five men before the Lagos State High Court in Tafa Balewa Square, Lagos, for allegedly making false statement of criminal allegation to the police against Oba Shaeed Elegushi (The Elegushi of Ikate land).
The five men who were arraigned before Justice Ibironke Harrison are Adeigbagbo Harrison, Prince Toluwoleke Megba, Harrison Soji, Megbalewon Adeniji James and Segun Ekomale (Ikuomola).
The defendants whose residential addresses were not given are facing eight counts bordering on conspiracy, making false statements and impersonation preferred against them by the police.
Police Prosecution Counsel, M. Animashaun, told the court that the defendants and others still at large conspired and made false statement to the Police Officer at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Alagbon, Ikoyi Lagos.
He said that on the same day the defendants made false statement of criminal allegation to the police against Al-Mansour family, an information they knew or ought to have known was false.
The prosecutor further told the court that the defendants also made false statements to the police against Mr. Chinedu Nweke, Chief Ogunyemi John and Monsunmola Ogunyemi.
Animashaun said that the alleged offence was committed on November 30, 2022.
He said further that the first defendant Adeigbagbo Harrison, between January and February 1, 2023, at the Itedo community in Ibeju Lekki, with intent to defraud, falsely presented himself as Oni Itedo, paramount ruler of Itedo community.
Animashaun alleged that after Adeigbagbo Harrison, falsely assumed the position of the paramount ruler of Itedo community conducted himself in a disorderly manner by inciting the youths and members of Itedo community against Oba Elegushi, conduct which is likely to cause breach of public peace.
According to the prosecutor the offences committed contravened Sections 96, (a), 95, 380 (1) and 56 (1) (a), of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Following their not guilty pleas, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and also urged the court to remand them at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
But the defendants counsel, Ebun Olu- Adegboruwa (SAN), told the court that the defence had filed bail applications for the defendants and then pleaded that the court should allow the defendants continue with the administrative bail earlier granted them by the police.
He said: “They have been attending court faithfully and in furtherance of the pending application for bail we humbly urge my lord to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the administrative bail granted to them by the police pending the hearing and determination of the application for bail”.
In her ruling Justice Harrison granted the request of the defence counsel.
She held that the court had observed that all the defendants have been attending court faithfully.
“The defendants are to continue with the administrative bail granted to them by the police pending the hearing of the bail application,” she said.
The case was adjourned till April 8, 2025.