Eight men, who allegedly set fire on a police patrol vehicle and damaged properties worth N13.5 million, were on Thursday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
They are alleged to have committed the offences while protesting in Lagos against the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The defendants are Sunday Gabriel, 19; Emmanuel Michael, 24; Mohammed Jello, 24; Mohammed Musa, 22; Marvelous Solomon, 18; Jimmy Habeeb, 28; Adams Olamide, 19; and Tobi Odewale, 29. Their residential addresses were not given.
They are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, arson, malicious damage and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinedu Njoku, said that the defendants conspired with others still at large and committed the offences on Sept. 3, between noon to 8.00p.m, on Lekki-Epe Expressway, in Eti-Osa area of Lagos.
Njoku said that the defendants, while protesting against xenophobic attacks on fellow citizens in South Africa, set fire on a transformer belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Company, valued at N4.5million.
He said that the defendants also vandalised a police patrol vehicle marked NPF 2355D, property of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The defendants maliciously damaged an entrance door to Maybrands Office Ltd, valued at N1.5million.
“After breaking the entrance door, they entered into Maybrands office and stole various items worth N7.5million, belonging to the company.
“They also damaged a Toyota Hilux with Lagos reg. no SMK 753 FR, property of one Usman Suleman,” Njoku told the court.
The prosecutor put the total value of the properties destroyed at N13.5million.
He said the offences contravened Sections 341 (c)(e), 340, 309 (1), 350, 286 (5) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge against them.
The Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
She said that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.
Botoku adjourned the case until Oct. 21 for mention.
