Lawyer docked for alleged failure to produce suspect

A 42-year-old lawyer, Kunle Ologundudu, was on Thursday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for failing to produce a suspect he stood surety for, in a case of alleged N2 billion property damage.

Ologundudu, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to pervert justice.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The  prosecutor, Insp Samuel Ishola, told the court that the defendant, on Dec. 7, 2023, came to the Force Criminal Investigative Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos State, and stood surety for one Henry Olumuyiwa.

Ishola said that Olumuyiwa was being investigated in a case of willful/malicious damage to a property worth N2 billion.

He said that the property belonged to one Dr Albert Ndule.

Ishola said that the defendant undertook to produce the suspect on Dec. 14, 2023,  but failed.

The prosecutor said that the surety contravened the provisions of Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs K. F. Balogun, granted the defendant bail and ordered him to bring his original call to bar certificate and bar dues receipt for 2023.

She also ordered him to bring an introduction letter from the chairman of his Nigerian Bar Association branch.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 6 for mention.