The Osun State Police Command has dragged a 50-year-old man, Morenikeji Sikiru before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly setting free a suspect after he has been arrested by a team of police officers in the state.
Sikiru was also accused of attacking a police officer and assaulting him while carrying out his lawful duties.
Police prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun, informed the court that Sikiru, also known as Opeloyeru, committed the offences on October 30, 2024 at about 10am at Ori Oke Okinni Area in Osogbo.
Olusegun accused Sikiru of stealing the neck chain of the assaulted Inspector, Eke Gbenga after obstructing him from taking the suspect to the station.
The charge read, “That you Morenikeji Sikiru, a.k.a Opeloyeru and others now at large, on 30/10/2024 at about 1000 Hrs at Ori Oke Okinni Area in Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire with others at large to commit felony to wit obstruction/serious assault on police officer/stealing/conduct likely, thereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under Section: 56 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002
“That you and others now at large on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did obstruct and liberated the suspect arrested by police officers and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 145 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria 2002
“You did seriously assault one Inspector Eke Gbenga, attached to Special Anti-Cultism Squad by attacking him while performing his lawful duty and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria 2002
“That you Morenikeji Sikiru a.k.a Opeloyeru and others at large on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal one neck chain valued the sum of N20.000 (Twenty Thousand naira only) property of one Inspector Eke Gbenga attached to Special Anti-Cultism Squad and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria, 2002.
“You did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria, 2002.”
Sikiru entered into a not guilty plea and his counsel, T. S. Adegboyega pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail.
Chief Magistrate’s Olusegun Ayilara granted the accused person bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety in the same amount.
The matter was adjourned till July 14, 2025 for hearing.