Crime
Court Orders Remand Of NURTW Member Koko Zaria Over Assault On Nollywood Actor
The incident happened on June 5, 2024, in Idimu, Lagos, Oyedepo and his associates were accused of attacking Adele with a bottle, causing injury.
Ikeja, Lagos State- The Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, a figure in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The court’s decision comes in response to allegations that Oyedepo assaulted Nollywood actor Alhaji Ade Adele, widely recognized as Baba Lawori.
Oyedepo was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The incident happened on June 5, 2024, in Idimu, Lagos, Oyedepo and his associates were accused of attacking Adele with a bottle, causing injury.
Chief Magistrate B. Sonuga, who is overseeing the case, ordered Oyedepo to be remanded in custody after he entered a plea of not guilty.
Prosecutor Morufu Animashaun, from the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), informed the court that Oyedepo’s actions contravened sections 411, 173, and 168 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.
The charges read, “That you Ganiyu Oyedepo on or about the June 25, 2024 at Idimu, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, Lagos conspired to commit Felony wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and committed an Offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State
That you Oyedepo on the said date unlawfully procured one of your boys (now at large) who unlawfully broke bottle and inflicted injuries on the head of one Alhaji Ade Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 173 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“That you Oyedepo conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace when you threatened and procured one of your boys (now at large) to break bottle on the head of Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 168 (l)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under Section 168 (2) of thé same Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state 2015.”
Oyedepo has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His legal team, led by S. Bello and S. O. Ajetomobi, filed a bail application, arguing that the charges were bailable and requesting the court grant bail on the most lenient terms possible.
After reviewing the submissions, Chief Magistrate Sonuga granted Oyedepo bail set at N2 million, requiring two sureties of the same amount.
The sureties must demonstrate good character, provide proof of employment, and reside within the court’s jurisdiction. Additionally, they need to present evidence of three years’ tax payments and have their addresses verified.
The case has been adjourned to October 29 for mention, with Oyedepo remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
