Court remands suspected robbers for killing hotel manager

A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting at Ebute Meta has remanded three suspected robbers for allegedly stabbing to death a hotel manager, Olalekan Oduwobi.

The suspects, Agbomeji Seun (30), Rasaq Babatunde (30) and Anthony Gbagolo (19), were arraigned on three counts of murder and unlawful possession of firearms.

PUNCH Metro had reported how the suspects sneaked into Imokun Noforija community in the Epe area of Lagos and killed Oduwobi who worked in 12-30 Hotel.

The incident happened on February 25, 2015.

Our correspondent reported that one of the gang members had first scaled the fence into a house when a resident raised the alarm.

He was said to have jumped back into their hiding which was the extension of the 12-30 Hotel where the deceased was working.

It was reported that the resident raised the alarm and awoke other tenants to the danger of the lurking robbers. He was also said to have gone to alert Oduwobi to the danger.

Our correspondent reported that as Oduwobi took a shortcut to surprise the robbers, he was attacked and stabbed to death.

The robbers were later apprehended by residents and handed over to the police.

Upon the conclusion of investigations, the police arraigned the suspects for the crime.

The charges read, “That you, Agbomeji Seun, Rasaq Babatunde, Anthony Gbagolo, and others at large on February 25, 2015 at about 10.45pm at 12-30 Hotel, Imokun Noforija, Epe, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; murder.

“That you did unlawfully kill one Oduwobi Olalekan, aged 40 years, by stabbing him with a knife.

“That you did knowingly have in your possession and control one short pistol without a valid licence issued to you by the appropriate authority.”

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011 and Section 27(b)(1) of the Firearms Act Cap 28, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011.

Their pleas were not taken for the offences.

The police prosecutor, Victor Eruada, applied for their remand in prison.

The defence counsel, Kayode Oduntan did not object to the remand application.

The magistrate, M. O. Tanimola, upheld the remand application.

She said, “The defendants are to be remanded in prison pending legal advicefrom the DPP.”

The matter was adjourned till April 27, 2015.