SWAT arrests Lagos bizman over threat to life

Abiodun OBA

A Lagos-based businessman, Ahmed Lawal, 45, has been arrested for threat to life.

Men of the Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT) of the Nigeria Police, at Adeniji Adele, Lagos, arrested Lawal, an Epe indigene, for allegedly threatening the life of a community leader in Epe town, Chief John Babatunde Soare and members of Poka Kingdom and Foriki village in Odomola area of Epe town.

According to the police, Lawal was also arrested for forceful entry into a landed property which had been in peaceful possession of Chief John Babatunde Soare without lawful authority.

The police said that Lawal conspired with others still at large in 2021 and forcefully entered Soare’s landed property at Foriki in Odomola town, Epe without any lawful order while allegedly threatening to deal with Soare and others even with diabolical means.

Following the incident, Chief Soare on behalf of Odomola community members petitioned the Commissioner of Police in charge of SWAT.

The CP in turn directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP in charge of operations at SWAT, Lagos, DCP Steven Ogendegbe to investigate the matter.

Following the CP’s directives, Ogendegbe directed his team led by SUPOL Lukman Rabiu to go to Epe town and arrest Lawal and others involved in the alleged breach of peace.

The Police succeeded in arresting Lawal while others managed to escape.

Lawal was later charged before the Epe Magistrate’s Court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forceful entry into a landed property, threat to life and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Police Counsel, Abraham Fadipe told the Court in the charge marked BP/B/16/2022 that the defendant and others still at large committed the offence in 2021 when they conspired and unlawfully entered into the landed property belonging to the complainant, Chief John Babatunde Soare without lawful authority and threatened to deal with him and others in Odomola town even with diabolical means.

Fadipe said the offences Lawal committed were punishable under sessions 412, 52, 56 (2) and 168(1)(d) C of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Lawal, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the open Court and Magistrate, K.O Doja Ojo granted him N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The case has been to 14 August 2022 for trial.