AN Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday granted bail in the sum of N300,000 each to two men, Josiah Essein and Abiodun Ashipa, who allegedly locked up a business premises without lawful authority.
Essein, 55, and Ashipa, 44, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
The defendants committed the alleged offences sometime in December, 2020, at 7, Anisere Street, Ikotun, Lagos State.
The prosecutor, Inspector Benard Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences sometime in December, 2020.
He said that the duo and others at large conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by padlocking the business office of one Mr Emmanuel Shomefun, with the intent to obstruct him from carrying out his business activities.
According to Aigbokhan, the defendants unlawfully interfered with the property of Shomefun.
He said that the actions of the defendants contravened Sections 168(d) and 340 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mr E. O. Ogunkanmi, subsequently granted the defendants bail and also directed that the defendants should produce two sureties each in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court adjourned the case until April 22 for mention.
