By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
LAGOS—Leader of Aguiyi Ironsi section of Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos State, Mr. Jonathan Okoli, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court for unlawful possession of firearms, threat to lives, assault on policemen, resisting police arrest and malicious damage.

Okoli was arraigned with 13 others by operatives of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, FARS, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos, following a petition by Mushin residents and traders of Ladipo Market, sent to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Abuja.

The petitioners said some suspected criminals were keeping arms and ammunition in a section of the market to attack traders and their customers, which led to the market been raided by policemen.

Leading the police raid was ASP Usman Abubakar, who said that two pump action rifles were recovered from the accused persons and they were immediately arrested.

The accused were said to have resisted police lawful arrest and attacked Abubakar and members of his team from the Federal Anti-robbery Squad, Lagos, with guns and other dangerous weapons.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Jonathan Okoli, 49, Isaac Udeh, 48, Aslem Emechata, 50, Oluchi Eze, 30, Ernest Anagemba, 55 Ifeanyu Oguguo, 35, Obinna Okafor, 32, Chukwu Daniel, 23, Nwodo Friday, 29, Ejike Okafor, 26, Chinedu Okafor, 35, Obinna Nwankwo, 23, Chukwujekwu Izueke, 33 and Chukwuebuta Okafor and others who are now at large on 4 November, 2011 at Akinwunmi Street, Ladipo, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, had in your possession Mossberg pump action rifle gun No. D3256 601 and Falcon Delux pump action gun No. 8783 and seven live catridges.”

Count three reads: “That you, Jonathan Okoli and 13 others on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district with intent to resist police lawful arrest attacked ASP Usmand Abubakar and members of his team from the Federal Anti-robbery Squad, Lagos with guns and other dangerous weapons.”

ASP Julius Oyakhilome, who stood in for the orosecutor, ASP Felix Ifiten, told the court that the offences were punishable under Section 3(1) Cap. 12(11) Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Sections 516 and 356 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2004.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them before the presiding magistrate, Mr. Adesola Sonugo, and they were granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

“One of the sureties must be a bank manager and the other on Level 12 in the Civil Service” the court ordered and adjourned the matter till 8 December, 2011 for mention.