Court remands trader for assaulting Task Force officials

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the prison remand of a trader, Biodun Ilesanmi, who allegedly assaulted Federal Task Force officials, who were on operation at the Mile 12 Market in Lagos.

The Task Force officials were said to have been on a campaign against counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed foods at the Mile 12 Market, when Ilesanmi allegedly assaulted them on September 3, 2015.

The trader, who occupies shops 28 and 29 at the market, was on Thursday charged with two counts of obstructing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency task Force from carrying out their statutory duties.

The order remanding Ilesanmi was issued by Justice Mohammed Yunusa shortly after he was arraigned.

The  NDLEA prosecutor,  Umar Shamaki, had told the court that the accused violated sections 11(1)(a)  and 25 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said the accused “was liable to punishment under Section 11(2) of the same Act.”

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which Shamaki sought for an adjourned date for trial, as well as an order remanding Ilesanmi in prison custody pending trial.

“My Lord, in view of the not guilty plea of the accused, the prosecution shall humbly ask for a date for trial and also an order remanding the accused in prison custody pending trial,” Shamaki said.

The defence counsel, Olumide Adubi, who did not object to the prayer for adjournment, however, made an oral bail application for the accused.

But the judge turned down the oral application saying a formal application was needed.

He adjourned further proceedings till September 22, 2015.

Source,

Punch