NURTW Chieftain, Koko Zaria, Remanded In Prison Over Alleged Assault On Nollywood Actor

A Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the detention of Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria and a prominent member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for allegedly assaulting Nollywood actor Alhaji Ade Adele, also known as Baba Lawori.

Oyedepo was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The incident occurred on June 5, 2024, at Idimu, Lagos, where Oyedepo and his associates allegedly attacked Adele, injuring him with a bottle.

Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate B. Sonuga remanded Oyedepo in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun, from the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), informed the court that the defendant’s actions violated sections 411, 173, and 168 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.

The charges read, “That you Ganiyu Oyedepo on or about the June 25, 2024 at Idimu, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, Lagos conspired to commit Felony wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and committed an Offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State

“That you Oyedepo on the said date unlawfully procured one of your boys (now at large) who unlawfully broke bottle and inflicted injuries on the head of one Alhaji Ade Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 173 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

“That you Oyedepo conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace when you threatened and procured one of your boys (now at large) to break bottle on the head of Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 168 (l)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under Section 168 (2) of thé same Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state 2015.”

However, Oyedepo denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His legal team, led by S. Bello and S. O. Ajetomobi, applied for bail, arguing that the charges against their client were bailable.

They urged the court to grant bail on the most lenient terms possible.

After considering the submissions, Chief Magistrate Sonuga granted Oyedepo bail set at N2 million, with two sureties in like sums.

The sureties, as stipulated by the Chief Magistrate, must have good character, provide proof of employment, and reside within the court's jurisdiction.

Additionally, the sureties were required to present evidence of three years' tax payments and have their addresses verified.

Chief Magistrate Sonuga adjourned the case to October 29 for mention and ordered Oyedepo's remand in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) until the bail conditions were met.