On Tuesday, a 47-year-old man, Ogbonna Anoka, who stood surety for a church member but failed to produce him in court as required, appeared before the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Mr Anoka entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea to a charge of perversion of justice.

The prosecutor, Magaji Haruna, told the court that Mr Anoka committed the offence on January 26 at the State Criminal Investigation Department, M.A.K Smith St., Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

Mr Haruna alleged that the defendant conspired with one other person to obstruct and pervert the course of justice.

“The defendant stood as a surety for one Nonso Onyekwelu, a church member, who was involved in a case of conspiracy and receiving stolen property reported at the station.

“Onyekwelu was granted bail and released to the defendant, who promised to produce him at the station until the case is finally disposed of.

“The accused is hereby called upon to show cause why the sum of N500,000 bond executed by him should not be forfeited,” the prosecutor said.

The magistrate, O.Y. Adefope, granted N500,000 bail to the accused, with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned until February 21 for mention. 

(NAN)