Teenagers In Court For Church Vigil Robbery

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A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere had to read the charges of four teenagers who were arraigned before it in English and Yoruba as one of any couldn’t make any meaning out of the charge read in English language.

The teenagers; Jamiu Saka, 18, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, 18, David Onokpise, 19, and 20-year-old Yusuf Lateef were arraigned over a three-count-charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

The defendants were said to have entered a church during a vigil service and robbed worshipers of their valuables.

According to the charge, the defendants robbed a clergy, Apostle Nelson Opara, of his handset and money, and one Okon Esther was robbed of two Visafone phones and one BlackBerry Curve 3, during the vigil service.

Count one of the charge read: “Jamiu Saka, Yusuf Lateef, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, and David Onokpise, on 19 May, 2012, at Sowers Ministry International No. 64A Kirikiri Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos State, in the Lagos Division conspired to commit felony to wit: armed robbery.”

All the defendants live in Ajegunle, and had the charge read to them in English and Yoruba languages.

The plea of 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants was taken in English language, while the plea of 4th defendant was taken in Yoruba. They pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the state.

The prosecutor, Mr O. Soetan, informed the court that the alleged offence was contrary to Section 295 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

He therefore asked the court for a trial date to enable his witness to be in the dock for his evidence, stressing that he had agreed with the defence counsel on 29th and 30th of September.

The presiding judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, subsequently adjourned to September 29 and 30 for continuation of trial.