Ex-Lagos speaker, Joko Pelumi, arraigned for allegedly aiding murder suspect

Joko Pelumi

A former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Joko Pelumi, was on Tuesday arraigned for allegedly receiving into his home, Adekunle Dabiri, who was alleged to have murdered a deputy superintendent of police.

The 59-year-old lawyer was brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court on a charge of receiving a murder suspect and also aiding his escape.

According to Police Prosecutor J.I. Eboseremen, the former speaker committed the offence on October 27 at Agbowa near Ikorodu in Lagos.

He alleged that the accused had received Adekunle Dabiri into his home after he allegedly murdered Akingboju Akindele, a DSP.

He said the accused also aided the escape of Dabiri from the hands of the police.

The offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Joko Pelumi, who was speaker under the second tenure of former Governor Bola Tinubu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While granting Pelumi bail in the sum of N1 million, Chief Magistrate A.O. Adedayo said he should also produce two responsible sureties in the like sum.

She said one of the sureties should be a member of the State House of Assembly and adjourned the case until November 26 for mention.