Falilat Oluwayemisi and Adeshina Balogun have been arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in connection with the alleged unauthorized demolition of a N800 million four-storey edifice.
The pair are confronted with a six-count indictment, which includes conspiracy and the unlawful teardown of a property owned by Lagos-based developer, Hakeem Olawuyi, as reported by NAN.
Standing in for Inspector Ajayi Emmanuel, Prosecutor SP Josephine Ikhayere informed the court that the defendants, along with some unidentified accomplices, committed the crime on April 1.
According to Ikhayere, the accused enlisted the assistance of armed ruffians to forcibly evict the residents and then proceeded to bring down the four-storey building.
The building, nestled at 20a Church Street, Isale-Eko, in the Idumota district of Lagos Island, was home to 12 two-bedroom flats, four studio apartments, and 24 lock-up stores.
The prosecutor stated that the overall cost of the items ruined during the demolition, owned by Olawuyi’s Dapo Ola Construction Company, was estimated at N800 million.
Ikhayere highlighted that the committed acts were in direct violation of the Lagos State’s Criminal Law of 2015.
Oluwayemisi and Balogun entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Lateef Owolabi in lieu of Magistrate O. I Raji, granted the defendants bail at N800,000, with the requirement of two sureties. The sureties are required to be gainfully employed and must have paid tax to the Lagos State Government for the past two years.The case has been adjourned to August 28.
SOURCE: DailyPost
IMAGE: LagosPost
