Lagos arraigns more than 100 suspects over Victoria Island, Lekki disturbances

More than 100 suspects have been brought before the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court over alleged breaches of public peace in the Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah areas.

The Lagos State Government said the defendants were also charged with unlawfully converting government property for personal use and conduct likely to cause a breakdown of law and order. Prosecutor Oluwabusola Omotunde said police arrested them between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sept. 4 across the Victoria Island-Lekki-Ajah corridor.

Some defendants pleaded guilty, while others denied the charges. Chief Magistrate F.J. Adefioye said the court needed to deter offending while observing due process. Those who pleaded guilty to the first two counts received sentences of one and two months of community service or imprisonment, to run consecutively.

Defendants who pleaded not guilty were remanded and granted bail with two sureties each. Olufemi Adekunle, coordinator of the mobile court, said similar hearings would continue across Lagos to prosecute offenders promptly and keep public spaces safe. The court handles public-order, environmental, traffic and other offences.

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Similar Mobile Court sittings will continue across the state to ensure that offenders are prosecuted promptly and that public spaces remain safe for all.