Court orders arrest of surety over failure to produce accused person

A Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has ordered for the immediate arrest of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Ademola Ariyo, following his failure to produce an accused person, Bimbo Akinsehinwa, who he stood for as guarantor.

Akinsehinwa with four others who include; Aderonke Gbadamosi, Akinsira Usiola, Kofoworola James and Ganiyat Itunu, were charged before the Court over fraudulent practices while Akinsehinwa took to his heel after his release.

Though all accused pleaded not guilty to the charges but the Court granted bail while Ariyo stood as Akinsehinwa guarantor during their arraignment.

Akinsehinwa was alleged to have shunned appearing before the court after the trial commenced in 2016 while his guarantor, Ariyo also failed to appear in Court with no reasons before the court for their absence.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. Ayodeji Akinsanya said after the bail of the first accused person (Akinsehinwa) the accused person decided not to appear before the court again.

The magistrate said, ” Bimbo Akinsehinwa has jumped bail and the court has issued a bench warrant for his arrest together with one Captain Ademola Ariyo (rtd) who stood as his surety whom were both at large.”

He declared Ariyo wanted for standing surety for the accused person and for his absence from court sittings. He ordered the court police to paste his picture in front of his house and the court premises.

The accused persons who were brought before the court by the police in 2016 were facing eight-count charge which includes: felony, obtaining money by false, fraud, forging a deed of transfer of land document, stealing and given false testimony in an affidavit singed by them.

In the charge sheet, the accused person allegedly committed the offence at Valentino area of Ondo town, Ondo State.

The offence committed was said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 516(1), 419, 390(9), 467, 484, 171 and 125A (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006

The magistrate however adjourned the case till February 21, 2017 for continuation of the trial.