CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 21-year-old Alaba Market trader, Quadri Akeem, was arraigned at the Ojo Magistrate Court over allegations of assault and stealing involving two sisters inside Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.
The defendant, Quadri Akeem, was brought before the Court with Charge number 63/1/29/2026 and was heard before the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. LK.J. Layeni. Court officials said the arraignment was part of efforts to address reported cases of violence and theft within the busy market area.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the incident allegedly occurred on May 1, 2026 at about 8:00pm inside Alaba International Market, Ojo, in the Ojo Magisterial District. The time of the alleged incident was during peak evening hours when many traders were closing shops.
The two complainants named in the court documents were Oluchi Ezeala and Chiamaka Ezeala. Both were described as sisters and were said to do business within the market area. The charge sheet did not state the nature of their trade, but sources said they operate within the electronics section of Alaba.
Count 1 alleged that the defendant and others now at large conspired to commit a felony on the stated date and place. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. The prosecution told the court that the alleged conspiracy preceded the attack.
Count 2 alleged that the defendant and others unlawfully assaulted Oluchi Ezeala and Chiamaka Ezeala. The charge sheet stated that the two sisters were allegedly cut with a cutlass on the head and hand, causing bodily harm. This is contrary to Section 173 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015. Police said the victims sustained injuries and were attended to after the incident.
Count 3 alleged stealing of items said to belong to Oluchi Ezeala. The items listed were one Tecno phone valued at ₦8,000, one Redmi 10C phone valued at ₦75,000, and cash of ₦62,000. The total value is ₦145,000. The offence is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.
The case was reported at Ojo Police Division, under CSP Opeifa Omolola, Divisional Police Officer. The Investigating Police Officer listed on the charge sheet was CPL Christiana Michael. Police said investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects mentioned as “now at large.”
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
The prosecutor, SP Uche Simeon, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations and present witnesses.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of ₦400,000 with two sureties. Conditions listed include tax clearance and address verification, as stated in the court record. The court also ordered that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions. The next date was fixed to allow both prosecution and defence to prepare.
Alaba International Market is one of West Africa’s largest electronics markets, attracting thousands of traders and buyers daily. Traders and customers have repeatedly called for improved security, especially during evening hours when trading winds down. Market leaders have urged Police to increase patrols to prevent similar incidents. The allegations contained in the charge sheet are accusations. Under Nigerian law, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.