COURT REMANDS TWO FOR MURDER

MAGISTRATE’S Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos Monday remanded two young men, Dare Adekunle and Ismaila Bankole, in prison custody for allegedly killing one 16-year-old Ikechukwu Ijeoma during a robbery operation. The duo and others now at large, were charged on a one-count charge bordering on robbery and murder brought against them by the Nigeria Police. The Police Prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadime, said Adekunle and Bankole conspired together to commit felony and armed robbery at No 1, Tinomi Street, Ipaja area of Lagos. Uwadime told the court that the defendants and others committed the offence on January 14, 2013. Adekunle and Bankole were said to be armed with pistol and locally -made long barrel gun, with which they robbed one Boniface Ijeoma of N20,000 and also shot and killed a 16-year-old boy, Ikechukwu Ijeoma. According to the prosecutor, he said the offence committed “is contrary and punishable under section 5(a) of Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, Cap 398, Vol. XXii 1(2)(a)(b) laws of the federation 2003 as amended.” However, their plea could not be taken due to the nature of the charge. Magistrate S. A. Akinde ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, pending the Directorate of the Public Prosecutor’s (DPP) advice. She adjourned the matter till March 11, 2013, for DPP’s advice.