CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Three men have been remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, following their arraignment before a Lagos Magistrate Court over alleged attempted robbery and membership of an unlawful society.
The defendants were Ahmed Isiaka, 25, Toheeb Fatai, 20, and Onyeka Chinaka, 27. They were charged alongside other suspects who are still at large.
The trio was arraigned before Magistrate Mr. L.A Owolabi on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted robbery and belonging to an unlawful society.
The prosecution was led by SP Josephine Ihkayere on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on August 23, 2026, at about 2:00pm on top of the bridge in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
The case was investigated by the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, under SP Banti Adamu, with Inspector Ihiator Emmanuel as the Investigating Police Officer.
The first count alleged that Ahmed Isiaka, Toheeb Fatai, Onyeka Chinaka and others at large conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to wit, attempted robbery. The offence was said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count alleged that the three defendants and others at large on the same date, time and place attempted to rob one Segun Fatunde on top of the bridge in Orile-Iganmu. The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 298 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The third count, which was preferred against Ahmed Isiaka and others at large, alleged that he belonged to Aiye Confraternity, which is proscribed by law as an unlawful society. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 2(3)(a)(b)(c)(d) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.
When the charges were read to the defendants, their pleas were taken.
Following the nature of the offences, the prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the outcome of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.
In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr. L.A Owolabi, ordered that the three defendants be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice. No bail was granted at this stage.
The court adjourned the matter to a later date for mention and for the report of the DPP’s advice to be made available.
The Orile-Iganmu bridge where the alleged incident occurred is a major link connecting Orile, Iganmu, Surulere and Apapa. Commuters have in the past complained about robbery incidents on the bridge, particularly during traffic gridlock and at night.
Police authorities say the Command Tactical Squad 1 has intensified patrol and intelligence gathering around Orile-Iganmu, Badia and Ijora axis following repeated complaints from road users.
Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned against cultism and street robbery, noting that the Unlawful Societies Law of 2021 prescribes stiff penalties for persons found to belong to cult groups or to have participated in cult-related activities.
Security experts have urged the state government to install streetlights and CCTV cameras on major bridges in Lagos to deter criminal activities and assist in tracking suspects.
The Police said investigation is still ongoing to arrest other suspects linked to the alleged attempted robbery who are currently at large.
As at the time of filing this report, the defendants remain in custody at Kirikiri and are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.