Sowore supporters arraigned over alleged damage to Agbaje’s campaign posters

Six supporters of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday, appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged damage to campaign posters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos State governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje.
The accused are: Olagokun Odunayo, 27; Bamilola Omidiyi, 31; Koolkloius Henry, 26; Danwo Olagokun, 31; Ugaju Joseph, 29, and Michael Kate, 18.
The accused, whose residential addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful damage and breach of the peace.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution said that the accused did criminal damage to Agbaje’s property by tearing his campaign posters on Awolowo House fence in Ikeja.
Police Inspector Raphael Donny told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 9 at 2.30a.m. on Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
Donny also said that the accused conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by tearing campaign posters of another political party and replacing them with AAC presidential campaign posters.
Defence counsel, Mr Taiwo Olawale, prayed the court to grant bail to the accused, saying that they were discharging their duties with no intention of causing breach of the peace.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsemi granted the accused bail in the sum N50,000 each with one surety each in like sum.
Osunsemi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 168, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 350 stipulates three years’ jail term  for willful damage while Section 411 provides for two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The chief magistrate adjourned the case until February 4, for mention.