Names of 11 Remanded for Alleged Robbery and Firearms Possession
By Oluwabusola Balogun
The Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos State, has ordered the remand of Bamidele Bakare, Muriana Anuoluwapo, Sheriff Alausa, Emmanuel David, Godwin Asado, Abdullahi Taoheed, Olorunwa Ayeniran, Taoheed Alade, Abdullahi Isa, Bolaji Oseni, and Tobi Adedayo. These individuals face charges of being part of a secret society, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Command brought the 11 suspects before Magistrate O.Y. Adefope. The charges include three counts: conspiracy to commit a felony and membership in a secret society, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the charges, on May 25, 2024, the accused were involved in activities intending to disrupt public order in Itire, Surulere, and Amuwo Odofin. They were alleged members of the Eiye Confraternity, which organized activities causing disorder in these Lagos areas.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a locally made single-barrelled cut-to-size gun, two live cartridges, and 14 9MM Beretta pistol rounds in the suspects’ possession. The arrests followed reports from residents of Itire, Surulere, and Amuwo Odofin about a series of robberies and criminal activities, leading a tactical team to raid the suspects’ hideout on May 27, 2024.
Prosecutor Haruna Magaji informed the court that the alleged crimes were committed on May 25, 2024. He stated that the charges violate Section 328 and Section 2(3)(a)(b)(d)(e) of the Unlawful Society and Cultism Laws of Lagos State, 2021, as well as Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The court did not take the defendants’ pleas. Magistrate Adefope ordered their remand until further hearings, with the case adjourned to September 25, 2024.
