March 23, 2023

A 29-year-old man, Chinedu Eze, was on Thursday docked in a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly attempting to snatch a ballot box during the March 18 election.

Eze, whose address was not given is charged with breach of public peace and assault.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that Eze committed the offence at a polling unit in Ibasa Local Government Area.

Momah alleged that Eze conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

He said the defendant used an animal horn to inflict grievous injury on three voters.

The prosecutor said that the offence is punishable under Sections 126 and 128 (a) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Eze pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, admitted Eze to bail in the sum of N5 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate further ordered that the sureties’ addresses must be verified by an officer of the court.

Olatubosun adjourned the matter until April 26 for mention.

In a related development a 33-year-old man, Sunday Awunu, who allegedly attempted to interrupt election in a Polling Unit in Lagos, was also docked.

Awunu, whose address was given, pleaded not guilty to breach of public peace.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that Awunu committed the offence on March 18, at Polling Unit 016, ldale Whedako Town Hall, Badagry Lagos.

Momah alleged that Awunu, acted in a very disorderly manner when he forced his way into the hall where the ballot papers were being counted with the intention of disrupting the process.

The offence, Momah said, is punishable under the provisions of Section 125 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, admitted Awunu to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She directed that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.

Olatubosun adjourned the matter until April 17 for mention. (NAN)