September 24, (THEWILL) – A Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded a dismissed Police Sergeant, Samuel Philips in prison custody over the alleged murder of a teenager at her home in Surulere, Lagos.
Presiding over the court, Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo ruled that the order stands pending legal advice on the case from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The 30-year-old ex-cop, whose residential address was not given, was brought before the court on a temporary one-count charge of murder preferred against him by the Police
Prosecution counsel Inspector Agustine Nwabuisi alleged that the defendant committed the offence on September 10, 2021.
He said the incident occurred at about 11:30pm at No. 5, Mogaji Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos.
Nwabuisi said: “Philips, whilst in a criminal raid operation unlawfully released gunshot into the house/ dwelling of one Monsurat Ojuade, aged 18 years, hitting her two thighs, which led to her death”.
According to him, the offence contravened Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Chief Magistrate Adedayo, in accordance with the procedure, did not take Phillips’ plea.
Rather, she remanded the defendant pending legal advice from the (DPP.)
The case was adjourned till October 25, for DPP’s advice.
The defendant was represented by Doyin Shobiye, while lawyer for the Ojuade Family, Israel Mbaebie, was also present in court.
Mr Mbaebie Urged the police to change its “stray bullet” narrative as to how the deceased died.
According to him, “the bullet that killed Monsurat Ojuade was not a stray bullet but a case of premeditated murder on the part of the killer police.”
The lawyer also frowned at the failure of the police to make public its orderly room trial and the late notice the family got as to the arraignment.
“Our clients frown at this disrespectful and lackadaisical attitude of the police and also wonder how it has been easier for them to organise an orderly room trial of the so called killer police without making public their finding till date and now, arraignment without making public the full identity of the culprit as earlier demanded by our clients”, he said.
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