Police Murder: Ex-Lagos Speaker, Pelumi, Arraigned

A former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola
Pelumi, was on Tuesday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly receiving
into his home, Adekunle Dabiri, who was alleged to have murdered a
Deputy Superintendent of Police with five others.

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

Pelumi called the shots as speaker under the second tenure of
Ex-Gov. Bola Tinubu.

Pelumi was impeached on Dec. 29, 2005 and in his place, Mr
Adeyemi Kuforiji also from Epe 1 constituency was elected.

The impeachment was signed by 32 of the 40-member of the House
at an emergency sitting convened for that purpose. The impeachment
was said to be in compliance with Section 92 (2), (c) of the 1999
Constitution.

The then Clerk of the House, Mr Rasheed Jaiyesinmi, who read the
impeachment notice on the floor of the House, said the move was “in
view of the urgent need to re-position the House as well as
enhancing services to the people of Lagos State.”

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to Police Prosecutor J.I. Eboseremen, the former
speaker committed the offence on Oct. 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.

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

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