Shock pervaded the quiet atmosphere of the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, after an investigating police officer, Corporal Alagbe Olumide, admitted that he was forced to arraign a murder suspect, Ayodimeji Alegbeleye, for the crime he never committed.
Alegbeleye, 29, was being tried for the murder of one James Igbahan in January 2013 at Ajah.
The police had claimed that the accused stabbed Igbahan with knife in his left ribs which led to his death.
After the two counts were read to him, and he had pleaded not guilty, the prosecution lawyer filed application for his remand in prison custody pending the advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, the defence counsel protested the application, saying the accused knew nothing about the crime.
The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Tanimola, thereafter summoned the police to give an account of what had transpired.
In his report to the court, Olumide said he was told to arraign the accused, adding that the investigation had shown that he was only a friend to the real suspect.
He said, “My Lord, it was his friend that stabbed the deceased. The real offender is now at large.
“Alegbeleye was arraigned because we found him at the scene of the crime.
“The junior brother of the suspect had earlier been arrested, but the Ajah Police Division released him.”
The magistrate further queried why the defendant was charged when he was not the suspect.
“The police authorities said I should charge him with murder. I told them that my investigation showed he was not part of it, but they insisted that I should charge him, and I didn’t know what to do,” he submitted.
Olumide said statements taken from the accused showed he had returned from his work and met the two men arguing over matters connected with cultism.
He said he then went out to take his bath and on returning, found the deceased in a pool of blood and with knife wounds.
He said the police arrested him because he was a friend of the suspect.
The magistrate, in her ruling said since the accused was being punished for a crime he did not commit, there were no grounds for remand.
The case was subsequently struck out.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Good man Olumide. Unfortunatly for you it probably means the end of your career. You have done a service to truth and justice. Now taken with the debate on capital punishment it is easy to see why the state cannot be trusted with the power of life and death in the judical process
ReplyDeleteNO BI 9JA POLICE????
ReplyDeleteNOT SURPRISED.
WONDER WHY THEY OWNED UP.
The man should sue the police.
ReplyDeleteThis shows that many in Nigeria prisons are innocent people who did nothing , but are unfortunate for any one to speak of their innocence, it's just unfortunate what this country has turned into. Yet we speak of a better Nigeria, how will that happen when we as individuals are corrupt. Abeg
ReplyDeleteThis is a very serious matter in our country called Nigeria. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is now prosecuting poor innocent Nigerians. What has the FG got to say in this act of gross injustice. How can the friend of an accused person be prosecuted? God have mercy on Nigeria because our Police force has destroyed the very fabric of our society and existence as a country.
ReplyDeleteThis is why the FG should review all prison cases in Nigeria for possible early release and compensation of victims. If the NPF had got away with a successful prosecution, an innocent man will be in prison now.
The FG must now engage in prison review of inmates with immediate effect with a view to correct the anomalies of the past. Our God will not forgive us if we allow innocent people to suffer in prison for crime they never committed.
Dat man should sue d police 4 character assination. I hate Niger police. They have done more harm to d masses than gud.
ReplyDeleteThis is encouraging. What if policeman & magistrate had been less honourable? I still see some rays of hope for us as Nigerians if truth & justice prevail at all levels.
ReplyDelete