Policeman arraigned over allegedly killing of three

A 34-year-old police officer, Corporal Abu Bolaji, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, over alleged murder of three persons, Ibrahim Olojede, Rotimi Phillips and Friday Uti.

Trial of the defendant, which was to commence immediately after his arraignment, was stalled as the prosecutor, Mr Olayintan Soetan, told the court that he was not prepared for the trial since he was not aware of it.

Soetan further told the court that the defendant was avoiding trial by refusing to answer his name whenever his name was called in the prison, adding that the trial was to commence earlier but the defendant’s hiding stalled it.

Responding to the prosecution’s claim, the defence counsel, Mr Victor Okpara, argued that his client never avoided trial by not answering his name in prison, noting that his client had been using the same name at the lower court where he was first arraigned and remanded in prison, and at the High Court where he is standing trial.

According to the charge LCD/77/2010: “Cpl Abu Bolaji (M) at about October 2, 2009 around No. 21 Olonde Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, in the Lagos Judicial Division murdered one Ibrahim Olojede (M).

“Cpl Abu Bolaji (M) at about October 2, 2009 around No. 21 Olonde Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, in the Lagos Judicial Division murdered one Rotimi Phillips (M).

“Cpl Abu Bolaji (M) at about October 2, 2009 around No. 21 Olonde Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, in the Lagos Judicial Division murdered one Friday Uti (M).

The prosecutor noted that the three offences are contrary to Section 316 (1) of the Criminal Code.