A 32-year-old man, Rufia Lateef, who allegedly stood as a surety for his friend charged with N10 million fraud and could not produce him for trial, was brought before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos. Lateef, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a grave two-count charge, accused of perverting the course of justice, a matter of utmost seriousness in the legal realm. The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 23, 2023, at 2.00 p.m., at Ejigbo, Lagos. He said that the defendant stood as a surety for one Sanni Olalekan, who was charged with obtaining the sum of N10 million under false pretences. Despite his promise to produce Olalekan to the court on July 6, 2023, and every subsequent date his presence was required, the defendant failed to fulfil his obligation, raising serious concerns about his commitment to the legal process.
The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan said that the defendant did not also produce Olalekan on March 14, when the case came up for trial. He, therefore, applied to the Court for the defendant to show cause why the bail bond of N2 million he entered into should not be forfeited to the Lagos State Government. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges that contravened Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015 and Section 132 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2011.
The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, has granted Rufia Lateef bail. However, this is not a simple release. He is required to post a bail sum of N1 million and provide two sureties in like sum. These sureties must be gainfully employed and able to show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The judge ordered that the sureties be gainfully employed and that evidence of tax payment be shown to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned the case to July 12 for further mention.
