Court sends okada rider to jail for allegedly beating policeman

An Osogbo Magistrates Court in Osun, has remanded a commercial motorcyclist, Olaoye Moses, in Ilesa Correctional Centre, for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

The Magistrate, Mr A. Ayeba, ordered the remand of the defendant due to the magnitude of the offence he was said to have committed, pending a formal bail application on the next adjourned date.

The defendant had no legal representation.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akintunde Jacob, told the court that the defendant physically attacked a sergeant on May 23 at about 10:00 a.m. at Ota-Efun, Osun.

Jacob said that the defendant failed to adhere to traffic regulations after he was stopped by police in order to allow pedestrians to cross the highway.

“He assaulted one Sgt. Bankole Abiodun who approached him for violating traffic rules and breaching public peace.

“The defendant invited a crowd of police who tried to let him know his mistakes before the situation went out of hand, leading to his arrest,” he said.

Moses, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 249(d) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The Magistrate adjourned the case till May 26.