Alleged car theft: Court grants Iyanya N20m bail

A Lagos High Court, Igbosere has granted musician Iyanya bail of N20million over alleged car theft.

Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, who led the court on Thursday 27, February, ordered Iyanya Mbuk to produce a surety in the like sum, who should also have landed property in Lagos with a Certificate of Occupancy.

The judge warned the singer that the bail shall be revoked if not perfected within seven (7) days.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile said: “I have perused the affidavit and the counter-affidavit of the parties; there is a prima facie case of criminal conversion against him.

“However, there is nothing to show that the defendant will interfere with the proceedings of this case and nothing to show that he will jump bail if granted bail.

“Bail is therefore granted to the defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in the like sum.”

The case was adjourned till May 27 and 28 for trial.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile threatened to invoke the power of the court to ensure Iyanya’s attendance to take his plea.

On March 15, 2019, the police filed the one-count charge marked LD/9024c/2019 against Iyanya.

Bu,t he failed to appear in court for arraignment, despite allegedly being served with the charge and hearing notice. As a result, the arraignment was adjourned six times.

Eventually, Iyanya appeared before the judge on February 4, 2020, following which the charge was read to him.

Prosecution counsel, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), reported that the Kurukere singer committed the offence sometime in September 2018.

The court heard that the defendant dishonestly converted to his use or of another person, a Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked MAVINIY, with Chassis and Engine numbers JTEBX7FJ7EK165480 and 2TR1385954.

Agwu told the court that said vehicle belongs to The Temple Management Company Ltd, represented by a lawyer, Ayodeji Olomojobi.

According to the prosecutor, the offence was contrary to Sections 278(1) (b), 279(1)(2) and punishable under Section 285(10) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Iyanya pleaded not guilty, while Agwu pleaded the court to remand the defendant in the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) custody, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

But Iyanya’s counsel, Mr Williams A., opposed him. He prayed the court to release the singer to him and undertook to produce him in court on the next court appearance date.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile granted the defence counsel’s prayer and released him to his counsel.