A 47-year-old man, Ogbonna Anoka, who allegedly stood surety for a church member, but failed to produce him in court as required, on Tuesday appeared before a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Anoka, whose house address was not given, entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea to a charge of perversion of justice.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Magaji Haruna, told the court that Anoka committed the offence on Jan. 26, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, M.A.K Smith St., Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Haruna alleged that the defendant conspired with one other person to obstruct and pervert the course of justice.
“The defendant stood as a surety for one Nonso Onyekwelu, a church member, who was involved in a case of conspiracy and receiving stolen property reported at the station.
“Onyekwelu was granted bail and released to the defendant, who promised to produce him at the station until the case is finally disposed off.
“The accused is hereby called upon to show cause why the sum of N500,000 bond executed by him should not be forfeited,” the prosecutor said.
The offence, Haruna said, contravenes Section 97 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section 97 provides seven years imprisonment for perversion of justice, while sub section (3) provides two years imprisonment.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. Y. Adefope, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned until Feb. 21 for mention. (NAN)
