Surety docked for allegedly failing to produce accused

The Police in Lagos on Friday arraigned one Ifase Isiaka, 42, at an Ijede Magistrates’ Court, Ikorodu, for allegedly failing to produce an accused he stood for as surety.

Isiaka, a resident of Ijede, was arraigned on a two-count charge of perverting the course of justice and failure to produce one Abimbola Awoyinka who was accused of obtaining and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Isaac Aminu, said that the surety refused to produce Awoyinka when his case was called three consecutive times in court.

“He promised the court to always produce the accused, but failed to do so; his matter came up on Jan.17, Feb.25 and March 9, but he did not appear in court,” Aminu said.

He said that a surety who failed to produce an accused person and perverted the course of justice contravened section 104(1) (i) and 97 (3) of the Lagos State Criminal Code, 2011.

Newsverge reports that the sections stipulate six months and two years imprisonment respectively for offenders.

The accused however, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate R.O.Davies granted him bail of N150, 000, with two sureties that must show evidence of three years tax payment, reside in Lagos and have verified addresses.

The magistrate adjourned the case till March 23, for hearing.