The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned five young men who allegedly assaulted a traditional ruler, the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Agbabiaka Kabiru.
The accused, Ahmed Safari, 25, Ismaila Hassan, 19, Taoreed Olarenwaju, 22, Niyi Oni, 22, and Sodiq Biliaminu, 22, are charged with conspiracy, assault, malicious injury, and stealing.
The men, who each pleaded not guilty to the charges, are standing trial before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Oladeji Balogun, told the court that the accused also stole mobile phones and jewelry valued at N600,000 belonging to the monarch’s wife, Alhaja Agbabiaka.
Balogun said in addition, the men also injured two men Isa Abubakar and Olakunle Isiaka -- with broken bottles and a cutlass.
They damaged two buses worth N123,000 belonging to Mr Adeniyi Ojo and Mr Tunde Owoniya and stole musical instruments valued at N450,000,’’ he said.
Sherry Omobaba, counsel to the accused, urged the court to grant them bail due to their deteriorating health while in police cells.
Balogun, however, opposed the bail application due to the gravity of the alleged offences.
The victims assaulted by these men are in the hospital and their injuries are very severe, they should not be let back into the society’’, he said.
Balogun said it was a taboo among the Yoruba for an oba to be assaulted.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 516, 351, 451 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Magistrate, Maimunat Folami, said that English Law did not recognise taboos and traditions.
Folami granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum.
She also ordered the sureties to pay N100,000 to the victims in the hospital.
Folami adjourned the case till Dec. 20 for hearing.
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