Justice A.A. Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday remanded one Lateef Odugbemi and Waliu Oladeji for allegedly launching an attack and shooting officials of Zone A, Nigeria Custom Service, (NCS) Ikeja, Lagos.
The incident was said to have occurred on 27th of May 2023 at Tapa, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State.
The suspects were accused of barricading road and shooting at Customs Officers which resulted in some of the Officers sustaining gunshot injuries, firing at Custom vehicle, assault on A. O. Ekundayo, a Customs Officer by shooting him in the head, causing him bodily injury, and obstructing Custom official on duty by barricading a road.
The defendants, who were arrainged on a four count charge pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges marked FHC/IB/78C/2023 reads,” That you, Waliu Oladeji ‘M” and Lateef Odugbemi “M” with others at large on or about the 22nd day of May, 2023, around Tapa, Ibarapa North Local Governnment Area, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, conspired among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: obstructing Customs Officers who were duly engaged in the performance of their lawful duty imposed on them by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 by barricading the Road and shooting at Customs Officers which resulted in some Officers sustaining gunshot injuries and thereby committed an offence contrry to and punishable under section of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Lavs of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
“That you, Waliu Oladeji ‘M” and Lateef Odugbemi “M” with others at large on or about the 22d day of May, 2023, around Tapa, lbarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fired at Nigeria Customs Service vehicle which was being used for the purpose of enforcing customs and excise laws and thereby committed an offence contrary to,and punishable under section 226(6) of the Nig ria Customs Service Act, 2023.”
“Waliu Oladeji ‘M” and Lateef Odugbemi “M” with others at large on or a’ ut the 22hd day of May, 2023, around Tapa, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did assault A. O. Ekundayo, a Customs Officer, who was duly engaged in the performance of his lawful duty imposed on him by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, by shooting him in the head which caUsed him bodily injury and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 239(2) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”
“That you, Waliu Oladeji ‘M” and Lateef Odugbemi “M” with others at large on or about the 221d day of May, 2023, around Tapa, Ibarapa North Local Governnment Area, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did obstruct Customs Officers who were duly engaged in the performance of their lawful duty imposed on them by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 by barricading the road and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24o(3)(a) of the Nigeria Custons Service Act, 2023.”
Justice Okeke adjourned the matter to 24th and 25th of January, 2024 for hearing, saying the defendants should be remanded in correctional center within the juridiction of the court.
Meanwhile, the NCS Director, Legal Services/Legal Adviser, Smart Akande said Custom is okay with the adjournment, saying though an application has been make by the defendants to be granted bail but he has filed a counter affidavit oppossing the bail.
He however said he believed the defendants should not be granted bail but it is within the decision of the court either to grant the bail or not.
In their remarks, Councel to the first and second defendants, Akeem Okelola and Olawale Sonibare argued that before a suspect could be taken to court, he/she must be aware of his offence or charges against him which NCS failed to do, adding that it was already late before they were served the amended charge.
