NSCDC Officers Arraigned Over Alleged Robbery

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of an Ikeja High Court has remanded a 27-year-old female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amarachukwu Asonta, and her colleague, Adebayo Ajayi, 32, over alleged armed robbery.

The court ordered the remand of the duo moment they were arraigned in court for offences bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery. They have since pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has accused the NSCDC officers of commiting the offences at 2.20am on January 30, 2018 along Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba, Lagos.

“The defendants and others who are now at large, while armed with guns and other offensive weapons, hijacked an Iveco container truck with registration no – LSR746XD.

“The truck contained 1,700 cartons of Chelsea and Action Bitters drinks valued at N2.7 million, way bills, mobile phones and unspecified amount of cash,” the DPP said.

Following the arraignment of the NSCDC officers, the DPP requested that the defendants should be remanded at the Correctional Centre.

“My lord, the matter has been since 2018. The defendant are officers of the NSCDC. They have been evading the court and the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest.

“The first defendant (Asonta) had to be arrested with the aid of the NSCDC,” Martins said.

The offences contravene Sections 297(2)(b) and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Following the submission of the DPP, the defence counsel, Mr Dapo Daramola, informed the court that he had filed an application for the bail of the defendants.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala ordered the remand of the defendants at the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until February 23 for the hearing of the bail application.