Two arraigned for trying to set policeman ablaze

A 40-year-old commercial bus driver, Laminu Rasidi, was on Monday charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly attempting to set a policeman, Cpl. Ashafa Ahmadu, ablaze.


Also arraigned was Okikiola Bello, an alleged accomplice to the driver.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Rasidi and Bello, who reside at Bashorun and Kadiri streets in Bariga respectively, are facing a two-count charge of assault and breach of public peace.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, ASP Akinlabi Adegoke, told the court that the accused committed the offences on January 28 along Jagunmolu Road, Somolu, Lagos.

Adegoke said the accused assaulted Ahmadu by pouring petrol on him in a commercial bus with registration number XR 87-AGL, belonging to the driver.

“The accused were arrested for obstructing the flow of traffic and other traffic offences along Jagunmolu Road on the morning of January 28.

“The policeman in an attempt to stop the accused from escaping sat in the bus.

“The duo then siphoned fuel from the tank of the bus and poured it on the bus and the policeman sitting therein while threatening to set him ablaze.

“They were consequently apprehended and taking to the police station,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 166, 172 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, granted each of the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case till March 12 for trial.