Posted by By Olaide Adekunle on
A magistrate at the Ikeja Magistrate's Court, Mrs. A. Ipaye Nwachukwu, has condemned the police for the illegal arrest of nine people for wandering.
A magistrate at the Ikeja Magistrate's Court, Mrs. A. Ipaye Nwachukwu, has condemned the police for the illegal arrest of nine people for wandering.
Those arrested and arraigned before the magistrate are Wasiu Adebiyi, 21, Basil Obi, 27, Ismaila Olatunbosu, 20, Sunday Friday, 19, Makive Jera, Mayowa Ariyo, 18, all males, while the females are Glory John, 22, Jennifer Eneme 20, and Gladys Akwakao, 35.
During cross-examination, the defendants claimed they were arrested earlier in the day, but were not taken to the police station on time, instead, they were delayed till late in the night before they were taken to the station and locked-up.
The investigating police officer (IPO), Inspector John Ogah of Ikeja Division told the court that the defendants were arrested at 10 p.m. for wandering at different locations, an allegation which was denied by the defence counsels.
Mrs. Nwachukwu, in her statement, asked the IPO if there was any law that bound anyone from walking on the street by 10 p.m.
Following the inability of the policeman to answer the question, the magistrate asked the police to desist from illegal arrest of innocent people.