Lagos - An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday remanded Ibrahim Omilade at the Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly cutting off the genitals of another man with a machete, thereby killing him.
The incident was said to have occurred on Christmas Day, 2012.
Omilade, 26 and four others -- Kayode Oni, 20; Wasiu Raheem, 22; Shola Oni, 23 and Victor Ezekwe, 20 --are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.
The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, ordered that Omilade be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and granted the others bail.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omisore granted the four others bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Ishola Samuel told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence at about 4p.m. at No. 48, Eyinogun St., Mafoluku, Oshodi in Lagos.
Samuel said that the accused had been enjoying the Christmas Day festivities at a friend’s house when a boy rushed in to warn them that Afolabi Suleiman, 23 was heading their way in anger.
He said that the 10-year-old boy, whose name was not given, told the accused that Suleiman was prepared for a fight.
The prosecutor said that the information riled the accused who went out to confront Suleiman, following which a fight ensued.
Samuel said that it was the first defendant that struck the machete blow which resulted in the death of the deceased
He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011
The second to fifth defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the plea of Omilade was not taken.
However, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, the defence counsel, had urged the court to dismiss the application which sought to have Oni, Raheem, Ezekwa and Shola remanded in prison custody.
According to him, they only conspired with the first defendant.
Ataene cited Section 115 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Law of Lagos State, and urged the court to grant the four accused bail.
The magistrate adjourned the case till Feb.25 for mention.
NAN