A 51-year-old man, Seyi Osho, who stood as surety for his friend, Olawale Balogun, was on Tuesday docked in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly perverting the course of justice.
Osho, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on charges bordering on obstruction of justice.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 14, 2014 at Court 1, Mushin, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
“He promised as surety to produce Balogun whenever the court needed him.
“The accused failed to produce Balogun to the court as promised,” the prosecutor said.
According to him, the accused aided and abetted the escape of Balogun.
He said that Balogun had duped a woman of N287, 000 under the pretext of selling a used Toyota Corolla car belonging to Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) to one Mrs Abiola Adegbola.
“The accused aided the escape of Balogun, who is standing criminal trial for duping the woman of N287, 000 and using the money to buy himself the car.
“Since the day of Balogun’s arraignment in court, he was nowhere to be found and the accused was aiding him,” he said.
He said the offence contravened Section 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Section 97 (1) prescribes seven years jail term for perversion of justice.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. A. Azeez, granted the accused bail in the sum of N70, 000 with one responsible surety in like sum.
Azeez adjourned the case till March 21 for mention. (NAN)