Stephen Oni/Ilorin
A Nigerian Magistrate’s court has ordered that two men be remanded in prison custody for allegedly attacking the convoy of Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during her recent visit to Kwara state.
The two men remanded were Sulaiman Lawal, 27, and Lukuman Isiaka, 20.
They were arraigned on a five- count charge of criminal conspiracy, mischief, belonging to a gang of thieves, extortion, assault and disturbance of public peace contrary to sections 97, 327, 306, 292 and 113 of the penal code law.
The Police First Information Report, FIR, dated March 18, said the suspects attempted to extort money from Aishat Buhari, who was accompanied by the APC Vice-Presidential candidate’s wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, and Kwara first lady, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, while they were on their way from a courtesy call on the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
According to the report, the suspects and others at large, “criminally conspired in an attempt to extort money from them and in the process they smashed the side mirror of a car in the convoy and for a while caused pandemonium in the area.”
“Investigation at ‘C’ division police later revealed that the two of you are group of social miscreants who use to extort money from passers-by at Ile-film junction, Ilorin,” the FIR said.
The police prosecutor, Godwin Azua, opposed to the bail of the accused because of the rampant nature of the charges preferred against them, arguing that if admitted to bail, they would tamper with the on-going investigation of the police.
Defense Counsel, Taofik Olateju, however, urged the court to grant accused bail, arguing that they were presumed innocent until proved otherwise by a competent court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jubril Salihu, ordered that the accused be remanded at Oke-Kura prison custody, Ilorin, while adjourning the matter till 2 April for mention.