8 FIRS staff arraigned for allegedly assaulting policemen

Eight staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have been arraigned before Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim, for allegedly beating up about five police officers led by DSP Issa Yakub, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The suspects were allegedly armed with dangerous weapons during the attack on the policemen on duty.

They were arraigned for criminal conspiracy, assault, obstructing public servant in discharging of duty, voluntary causing grievous hurt without provocation, resistance/obstruction to lawful arrest, attempt to commit culpable homicide and armed robbery contrary to Sections 97, 265,148, 267, 247, 298, 336, 171 and 229 of penal code law and Section 1 (2) of robbery and firearms (Special provision) act, cap R11 law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) revealed that the policemen, while performing their duties along Obbo road, Ilorin, intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABJ 602 LD, which allegedly drove against traffic.

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The driver of the said car, simply identified as Selim, (now at large) reportedly conspired with other defendants (staff of the FIRS) to cause grievous bodily hurt on the policemen.

Selim, with his cohorts, after allegedly beating up the DSP and his men, carted away their personal belongings which are yet to be valued.

The prosecutor, Yusuf Nasir, urged the court to remand the suspects in Correctional Service Centre, saying the offences allegedly committed are not ordinarily bailable.

Counsel to the suspects, Oludare Akanbi, urged the court to use its discretionary power judicially and judiciously on the issue of bail for his clients

Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim, in his ruling, said he lacked judicial power to hear the matter but can determine the issue of bail of the defendants.

Ibrahim, however, released the defendants on bail in the sum of N200,000 each while the matter was adjourned to March 11, 2019, for further mention.