A street urchin, Akinyemi John, who allegedly escaped from a police cell, was on Tuesday charged before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
John, 22, who lives at No. 3, Moses Adebisi St., Oshogun, Alapere, Lagos, is facing a four-count charge of unlawful assault, jail break, burgling and malicious damage.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Uche Simon, told the court that the accused committed the offences at Alapere Police Station, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, on Dec. 25, 2013 at about 2:00 a.m.
Simon said that the accused had burgled a shop at 8A, Moses Adebisi, Oshogun St., Ketu, Lagos, belonging to one Mr Ibrahim Olagunju.
He said that accused assaulted Olagunju and damaged chairs, tables, a giant peevee water tank and kitchen accessories in the shop, when he was confronted.
The prosecutor said that the accused was arrested by some neighbours of Olagunju and handed over to the police.
He said that the accused escaped from the police cell and was re-arrested.
Simon said that the offences contravened Sections 171, 106, 307 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 106 recommends seven years imprisonment for convicted offenders.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till May 7, for hearing. (NAN)
