On Thursday, the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court remanded Azeez Adekunle Lawal, aka Kunle Poly, in custody for 30 days over Idumota violence in Lagos linked to leadership tussle in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Also remanded in custody along with Kunle Poly were Idowu Onikoyi Johnson and Agboola Akeem Kosoko. They will spend 30 days at the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan.

According to the prosecution counsel, Morufu Animashaun, the remand order will help the police to conclude investigations into allegations of threat to life and property, violence, cultism, mayhem, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy, and murder against the defendants.

Mr Animashaun based his application on sections 264(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (ACJL), 2021; sections 4 and 10 of the Police Act, 2020, and sections 6(c), 35(1)(C)(5) and (7)(a) of the Constitution.

Chief Magistrate Linda Balogun gave the remand order following the application moved by the police counsel.

“I have listened to the submission of the counsel, as well as perused the application for remand and the attached affidavit,” stated Mrs Balogun. “I find merit in the application, and it is accordingly granted. The three defendants are to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos, for the next 30 days to enable the police to conclude investigation.”

On Monday, two NURTW leaders identified as Kunle Poly and Tafa Sego were arrested by police for shootings. The suspects were arrested at a Monday meeting of the NURTW.

Meanwhile, the Lagos government has banned the activities of the union in Idumota.