A 67-year-old man, Mohammed Hassan, has been arraigned before an Ojo Magistrates' Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to produce defendants for whom he stood as surety.
Hassan appeared before Magistrate Funke Ogun on a one-count charge of perverting the course of justice. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to Prosecutor Inspector Esther Adesulu, the offense was committed on May 19 at the Ojo Magistrates' Court. The prosecution alleged that Hassan stood as surety for defendants in five separate cases: COP vs Ismaila Umoru, COP vs Yusuf Zebo, COP vs Mohammed Modu, COP vs Adamu Abubakar, and COP vs Yahaya John.
The prosecutor told the court that Hassan had undertaken to produce the defendants when required but has failed to do so to date. His actions allegedly constitute a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The offense contravenes Section 97(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Magistrate Ogun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned until July 10 for mention.
