A 47-year-old businessman, Usman Yunusa, who allegedly failed to produce a suspect he stood in as surety, was on Thursday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Yunusa, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and perversion of justice.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Mojirade Edeme, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on Oct. 27, 2021 at Elere Police Station, Lagos.
Edeme said that the defendant stood in as surety for one Abubakar Isah, who was arrested for alleged reckless driving that resulted in an accident.
Edeme said Isah was granted bail and released to Yunusa, who allegedly promised to produce Isah whenever the police needed him.
The prosecutor said Yunusa was arrested when he failed to produce Isah on the appointed date for prosecution.
Edeme said that the offence contravened Sections 97 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 91 prescribes seven years’ jail term for perverting the course of justice while section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mrs. O.A Dirisu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.
Dirisu said that the surety must be gainfully employed with evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Feb. 9 for mention. (NAN)
