Court remands man over arson

iyebiye olawuyi

May 31, 2017 5:09 PM

The accused was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, wilful and unlawful damage.

Court gavel

A 30-year-old Ikechukwu Ezeigwen, who allegedly set a building ablaze and attempted to murder a mother and her seven children, was on Wednesday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, wilful and unlawful damage, attempted murder and belonging to an unlawful society.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Magistrate Mr A.T. Elias refused the accused bail but ruled that the matter be taken to a higher court and that the bail should be perfected there also.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Omisakin, had earlier told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 18 at about 3.00 a.m., at No. 1, Miabi St., Ajegunle.

She said that Ezeigwen, who belonged to the “Eiye confraternity,’’ had attempted to murder Victoria Eriogun and her seven children by setting ablaze the two-room apartment they occupied, while they were sleeping.

The offences contravened Sections 41, 230, 341 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case has been adjourned until June 29, pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

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