A man who was only just standing in as a surety for two men who were tried in a law court, has ended up becoming an accused himself.
A 42-year-old man, Taiwo Idowu, who allegedly aided the escape of two men he stood surety for, was on Friday in Lagos granted a N1 million bail.
An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, which gave the ruling, asked Idowu to provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.
The accused, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge bordering on perversion of course of justice.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Ingobo Emby, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 29, at Police Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
He said the accused stood surety for two of his friends, Sikiru Balogun and Taiwo Taiwo, in a case of alleged malicious damage Emby said Idowu promised to produce the suspects on March 29, and other subsequent dates they would be needed at the station but failed to do so.
He also said that Idowu made an undertaken to forfeit N800,000 bail bond which he made while standing as a surety for the two suspects if he failed to produce them.
“He failed to produce the two suspects at the police station, thereby aiding their escape,’’ he said.
Emby said Idowu should show cause, why he should not forfeit the said N800,000 bail bond to the Lagos State Government. He said that the offences contravened Sections 97 (i) and 132 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mr W. B. Balogun, granted the accused N1million bail with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case until May 3 for mention.