Court remands suspected Oshodi-Gbagada Highway robber

An Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, on Friday ordered the remand of a 33-year-old man, Patrick Lucas, for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery on Oshodi-Gbagada Highway.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Tanimola did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.

She held that the defendant should be kept at the Ikoyi custodial facility pending advice of Lagos State director of public prosecutions.

Tanimola adjourned the case until Feb. 17 for mention.

The police had arraigned Lucas on a two-count charge of armed robbery and conspiracy.

The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi, alleged that the defendant, on Dec. 12, 2022, about 6.45 p.m. conspired with others at large to rob innocent citizens, using a bus with registration number KTU 557 YD.

He told the court that the defendant and the others were armed with dangerous weapons and robbed on the Oshodi-Gbagada Highway in Lagos State.

He alleged that they robbed one Mr. Oluwabunmi Vineepon and took his iPhone X5 worth N180,000.

Perezi said that Insp Benjamin Gabriel and other members of his team were on duty on the highway at the time, and intercepted the bus.

“They intercepted a yellow bus at Anthony Bus Stop, having suspected it of carrying out nefarious activities.

“The occupants jumped out and ran away but the team managed to arrest the accused,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor submitted that the offences contravened Sections 299 and 297(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.