By Ngozi Njoku

Ikeja

The police on Friday arraigned a 44-year-old surety, Ikenna Okonkwo, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly failing to produce three suspects he had stood surety for.

Okonkwo, whose residential address was not provided, is facing trial on a one-count charge of perverting the course of justice.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 5, at about 4.30 p.m., at the Command Tactical Squad 1, Ikeja, Lagos.

She said the defendant entered a three million naira bail bond to produce three persons, Leo Lee, Johnson Wang and Lina Ma, who were being investigated for alleged conspiracy and attempted kidnapping.

According to her, the defendant undertook to produce the three whenever they were required by the police until the case was finally disposed of, but allegedly failed to do so.

Ikhayere said his failure to produce the suspects constituted an offence punishable under Section 132 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Okonkwo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira, with two reliable sureties in like sum.

The court adjourned the case until Sept. 30 for further proceedings. (NAN)