An Ilorin Magistrate Court has remanded three persons, Jamiu Kolawole, 27 of Onibode Compound, Offa; Alabi Taiye, 22 of Bamu Street, Offa Garage, Ilorin and Jimoh Kayode, 21 of Ita-Alamu Area, Ilorin, Kwara State at the Federal Prison Yard, Ilorin for allegedly snatching a motorcycle.
The accused were arrainged on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, attempts to commit culpable homicide and robbery, contrary to Sections 97, 229 of Penal Code Law and 1(1) (3) of Robbery and Firearm Act (Special Provision) CAP R11 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
Police arrested the accused following a report on July 18, at the ‘E’ Division Police Station, Kulende, Ilorin by one Adhahu Shuiab of Sango Area, Ilorin that his motorcycle was snatched by some robbers.
According to the victim, on July 11, while he was riding his commercial motorcycle along Sango Area Ilorin, the first and second accused stopped him and asked him to convey them to Oyun Area, Ilorin.
The victim stated that on their way, Alabi (second accused) stopped him with pretence that he wanted to urinate which he complied.
It was during this process that the two accuse allegedly hit the victim with stick on the head and robbed him of his Bajaj motorcycle, registration number EPE 421 QJ valued at N218,000.
Police First Information Report (FIR) stated that during the course of investigation at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Ilorin revealed that the accused were unrepentant habitual criminals who conspired to commit the said offences.
The FIR added that the accused stole the motorcycle to Lagos State and sold it to one Aliu Lawal now at large a notorious receiver at the rate of N80,000.
The FIR added further that the accused confessed to have committed the crime.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Kayode Rhoda informed the court that investigation into the matter was on-going. She urged the court to adjourn the case till another date to enable the police complete their investigation.
The prosecutor however objected bail of the accused on ground that the offences were not ordinarily bailable.
She however urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending the determination of the case.
The defense counsel, Barrister Taiye Olojoku prayed the court to admit the accused to bail pending the determination of the case.
He submitted further that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria still presumed them innocent of the allegation until proved otherwise.
Magistrate Jumoke Bello acceded to the submission of the prosecutor and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Prison Yard, Ilorin untill the next adjourned date.
The court adjourned the case till September 29 for further mention.
