Court remands man, 27, for alleged arson

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday remanded one Sodiq Olalekan, 27, at Abolongo Correctional Centre, Oyo Town, for alleged arson.

It was reported that Olalekan of undisclosed address was arraigned on one-count charge of arson.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Ogunkanmi, did not take the plea of the defendant due to lack of jurisdiction.

Ogunkanmi ordered that the defendant be remand at the correctional centre, pending the advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She adjourned the matter till Jan. 19, 2022, for mention.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that Olalekan committed the crime on Oct. 18, at about 1:50p.m at Sokoti Moto area, Odeyale, Ibadan.

He said that the defendant willfully and unlawfully set fire on a building valued N5,000,000 belonging to his friend, Wasiu Sheriff.

“The defendant and the complainant are said to be friends.

“The complaint during their friendship allegedly gave Olalekan cowry to swallow, and the two of them swallowed cowries at the same time.

“Sheriff allegedly told his friend that the said cowry would work for money.

“Thereafter, the defendant felt uneasy and asked his friend to give him what would neutralise the effect of swallowing the cowry.

“Sheriff allegedly did not oblige Olalekan and he allegedly set his house on fire,” Opaleye said.

He said the offence contravened section 443 of the Oyo State Criminal Code, 2000.