Police Arraign Suspected Ejigbo Torture Masterminds

          
The police have brought nine men and a woman suspected to be responsible for the torture of one Ajoke Agoma and her two children, Juliana Agoma and Nike Salami before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court.
 
A large number of people, comprising relatives of the defendants, journalists and legal practitioners flooded the court premises to witness the proceeding.


It was reported that the victims were molested on the in February, 2013 at the Ejigbo Market area of Lagos by reeling pepper into their private parts with stick.
The police had declared Lukman Akande, Akeem Shitu and Tiri, alleged to be involved in the said torture, wanted.
The police preferred 12 counts bordering on attempted murder, insult, threat to life, conspiracy and unlawful association were against the suspects -Isiaka Waidi (60), Azeez Akinosun (35), Saheed Adisa (28), Jimoh Busari (49),Tijani Lateef (37), Adekunle Adenuga (57),Olohuntoyin Dauda (45), Buhari Yusuf (21), Haruna Abdullahi (19), Ahmed Adisa (65).
The charges read in part, “That you Isiaka Waidi, Azeez Akinosun, Saheed Adisa, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf and Haruna Abdullahi on or before February 11, 2014 at Oba Marufu International Market Ejigbo, in the Lagos Magisterial District, conspired with others now at large to commit felony to wit, murder.
“That you and others now at large on the same date and place unlawfully attempted to kill Juliana Agoma by inserting stick into her vagina that almost caused her death.
“That you and others at large with intent to insult Ajoke Agoma and Nike Salami poured ground pepper into their vaginas
“That you Isiaka Waidi demanded the sum of N50,000 from Fima Agoma, with threats to cause him injury and kill the two children (Juliana and Nike) if he failed to provide the money.
“That Azeez Akinosun, Saheed Adisa, Jimoh Busari and others now at large did manage or assist in the management of an unlawful society, OPC.
“That you Tijani Lateef, Adekunle Adenuga, Oloruntoyin Dauda ‘F’ and Ahmed Adisa knew Tiri, Akeem, Abolore and Isiaka Waheed were committing offence by torturing Nike Salami and Ajoke Agoma but conspired to be negligent.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to their various offences said to be punishable under Sections 231, 134, 229, 408 and 409, 41 44 (4) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.
The defence counsel prayed that the Magistrate, Mrs. A.0. Adebayo, grant urge the prosecutor should to provide evidence preferred against the defendants in good time.
Adebayo granted bail to the male defendants in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each in the like sum. The sureties must provide evidence of three years tax payment and residential addresses to be verified by the prosecutor.
Olohuntoyin was granted bail on personal recognition provided she could get a letter from ‘Iya loja,’ the head of the Market’s women.
The magistrate also said the matter would be forwarded to the office of Director of Public Prosecution for advice.
The case was adjourned to July 23, 2014.
Meanwhile, the President, Woman Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, while speaking to the press, expressed her delight on the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, adding that the law would eventually take its course on the matter.

Punch