Traditional ruler, two others in court for alleged robbery, rape

A traditional ruler at Odo-Onosa Village in Lagos State, identified as Chief Jimoh Balogun, and two others, Morufu Adekoya and Adefowope Kazeem, were Wednesday arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere over alleged armed robbery and rape.

DAILY POST gathered that the defendants are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and rape preferred against them by Lagos State.

The defendants and others reportedly still at large, who were docked before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, were alleged to have conspired to commit the alleged offence on March 26, 2014, at about 10:30am at Odo- Onsa, Epe, Lagos.

Lagos State prosecuting counsel, Babatunde Oguntemowo, told the court that the defendants raped one Adeomi Ayomide, and robbed her of her wristwatches, three laptops and a cash sum of N272,000, while armed with a gun and other offensive and dangerous weapons.

Oguntemowo added that the defendants also robbed one Korede Fayibo of a Television set, one DVD player, unspecified amount of money and other valuables.

They however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary and punishable under sections 297, 295 (2) (a) and 258 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

Oguntemowo, however, urged the court to adjourn the matter and remand the defendants in prisons custody, in view of their no guilty plea.

Counsel to the defendants, A. O Omodele, sought the order of the court to grant bail to Adekoya and Kazeem, who are already at Ikoyi prisons custody.

The matter was adjourned till January 18 and February 2, 2016, for mention.