Lagos attorney general takes over alleged murder case

The Attorney-General of Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem is set to take over the prosecution of a case filed against one Monday Lawrence, the suspected killer of Anene Utazi, a trader at the popular Ladipo Auto Parts Market in Lagos.

Lawrence and other persons still at large is standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere over alleged murder of Utazi during a crisis at the market in 2016.

In an eight-count charge brought against the defendant, the state alleged that Lawrence and others still at large on February 18, 2016 at Odo-Aladura, Ladipo Mushin allegedly murdered Utazi.

The suspect who has since been granted bail was also alleged to have inflicted grievous matchet cut on about five other traders at the market.Sometime last week, Ladipo market union leaders through their counsel, Mr Onyekachi Monday Ubani appealed to Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Kazeem to urgently investigate alleged extortion in Ladipo Market in the name of revenue collection.

According to the lawyer, the alleged revenue agent, Lawrence is said to be doing so on behalf of Mushin Local Government.Ubani made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, urging the state government to urgently curb such act of intimidation.

He said Lawrence has been on bail over the alleged February 18, 2016 murder of Utazi, a trader at the market, adding that after bail was granted to Lawrence, he has been intimidating witnesses who are to testify against him during his trial.

“Lawrence was released on bail by Justice A.O Taiwo of the Lagos High Court on October 26, 2016 despite the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) that he be charged with murder,” Ubani said, adding that the defendant lied to court on his bail application.

“Lawrence has been doing his best to ensure that he escapes justice. He fraudulently obtained a continuation of bail by giving false information on his bail application.

“He claimed in his bail application that he is a sufferer of high blood pressure but he did not attach any medical report to prove this, which is in direct contravention of Section 161 (1)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

“He lied about the length of his remand, which was three months and 13 days as opposed to the eight months he deposed to in his affidavit,”Ubani declared, adding that he has been trying his best to frustrate his trial by intimidating witnesses through death threats and open attack.The matter is adjourned till June 21, 2017 for trial.