A 67-year-old man, Mohammed Hassan, who allegedly stood surety for evading defendants, has been dragged before the Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Mr Hassan is standing trial before the magistrate, Funke Ogun, on a one-count charge of perverting the course of justice.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Esther Adesulu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 19 at the Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

She alleged that the defendant stood as surety for defendants in the cases of COP vs Ismaila Umoru, COP Vs Yusuf Zebo, COP Vs Mohammed Modu, COP Vs Adamu Abubakar, and COP Vs Yahaya John.

According to the prosecution, the surety had undertaken to produce the defendants as and when due but has failed to do so to date.

She alleged that the surety conspired to pervert the course of justice by his conduct.

The offence contravenes the provisions of section 97(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The court granted the defendant N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until July 10 for mention.

(NAN)