Police in Lagos have arraigned eight lawyers before a Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba for allegedly conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The police accused them of allegedly quarrelling and scrambling for clients within the court premises.
The defendants are Idowu Okuwanne (41, female), Opara Chinwe (47, female), Moses Akpasubi (51, male), Jolly Ogbuefi (49, male), Adebayo Olowofela (39, male), Kayode Akintau (45, male), Celine Nwosu (41, female), and Olawale Olayinka (59, female).
They were arraigned before Magistrate Mrs M.I. Tanimola over a two-count conspiracy charge and conduct likely to cause a public peace breach under the State’s Criminal Laws.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, informed the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on December 20, 2024, at the premises of the Ilori Magistrate Court.
Ihiehie also claimed that the lawyers created a nuisance at the court, leading to their arrest by officers from the Pen Cinema Division, who subsequently charged them in court.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Based on their pleas, the prosecutor requested that the court set a hearing date, as the police intended to prove their case.
Magistrate Tanimola granted them bail on self-recognition and ordered them to present their certificates to prove their status as licensed attorneys.
The court also mandated them to sign an undertaking of good behaviour and adjourned the matter until January 16, 2025, for mention.