A police officer, Corporal Patricia Agbofurere, who surety an accused, who had jumped bail since 2012, wept profusely on Thursday before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Agbofurere had surety her brother, Joseph Osawe, 38, who was docked before the court on November 2, 2012, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forging and stealing.
The police officer told the court that the accused had been remanded in Kirikiri Prisons by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in April over an alleged armed robbery.
The drama started when the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, directed Agbofurere to give evidence that the accused was remanded in prisons within seven days.
“I gave you seven days to produce evidence that the accused has been remanded by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over an alleged robbery or you (police officer) will face dismissal from office,” Awope said.
Agbofurere, who is attached to Area F Command, immediately held her head with two hands and wept profusely.
The magistrate, who expressed displeasure at the attitude of the police officer, adjourned the case till June 30.
The prosecutor, Corporal Adekemi Adeniran, had told the court that the accused duped three car dealers – Messrs Okpara Emeka, Timothy Oyeyinka and Odunewu Julius of N1.8 million.
Adeniran said that the accused committed the offences at No. 48, Emmanuel High St., Car Shop at Ogudu, Lagos, at about 6:00 p.m. between September and October 2012.
She explained that the accused forged N430, 000 UBA credit alert and sent it to Emeka’s number and later went to him to collect an unregistered Renault car with Chassis. No. VF1853BO5682727.
“He went further to send fake N750,000 to Oyeyinka’s number and collect an unregistered Toyota Corolla with chassis No. 776020.
“He also duped Julius with fake credit alert of N300, 000 and collected a Peugeot 406 car with Reg. No. AGL-704 AA.
“However, the hand of the law caught up with him through the assistance of network providers,’’ the prosecutor said.
Adeniran said that the offences contravened Sections 409, 285 and 361 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs l.O. Aje-Afunwa, who initially presided over the case, granted the accused N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
The accused, who lives at No. 22, Olowosaga St., Ikorodu, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty.
