13 docked for endangering lives on Lagos train

The suspects sat on a moving train and caused breach of the peace.

Thirteen suspected touts on Wednesday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly endangering the lives of train passengers.

The defendants include Rasak Ayinla,25; Ngbu Ugwu,29; Kamorudeen Adewumi,33; Olatunde Sakiru,25; Ismaila Okpaleye,31; Babatunde Makinde,24; and Saheed Adeyemi,25. Others are Enyeka Nwankwo, 25; Yusuf Dalandi, 29; Kehinde Anyinla,36; Jamiu Makinde,25; Saheed Adesina,33; and Matthew Solanrewaju,34. They face a four-count charge of conspiracy, endangering of life, breach of peace and unlawful trespass.

The prosecutor, Effiong Okon, told the court that the crime was committed on April 9, at about 7p.m., at Railway Line, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, some others, who allegedly conspired with the defendants, are still at large. He said that the defendants sat on a moving train and caused breach of the peace by throwing stones and bottles at policemen and train passengers. Mr. Okon alleged that the defendants injured some people, who were rushed to a nearby hospital. He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 252,357,409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to Section 252, any person who unlawfully causes the safety of any person travelling by any road, railway or other means of transport to be endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to two years imprisonment.

Section 357 also says any person who commits any nuisance or trespass in, or on any land, building or premises, acquired for, or belonging to any railway works, is guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for three months or a fine of N45,000.

The Chief Magistrate, Olatunbosun Abolarinwa, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum. He adjourned the case to April 26 for trial.