Court remands NURTW chieftain over alleged assault on Nollywood actor

A Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as “Kokozaria,” over allegations of conspiracy and violent assault on a Nollywood actor, Alhaji Ade Adele, also known as Baba Lawori.

Oyedepo was remanded in custody on Tuesday after being arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

He was brought before Chief Magistrate B. Sonuga by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon, following an incident said to have occurred in Idimu, Lagos.

According to the prosecution, led by legal officer Morufu Animashaun, the defendant allegedly committed the offences on June 5, 2024, when he reportedly conspired with some associates to attack the actor. The case is contained in a charge marked B/40/2024.

READ ALSO: Federal High Court orders Virgin Atlantic to pay ₦13m over wrongful denial of boarding

Animashaun told the court that during the alleged attack, some of Oyedepo’s associates, who are currently at large, used a broken bottle to inflict injuries on the victim’s head.

The prosecution stated that the alleged conduct contravened Sections 411, 173, and 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and is punishable under Section 168(2) of the same law.

The charges further alleged that Oyedepo conspired with others to commit a felony, specifically assault occasioning harm, and that he unlawfully procured his associates to carry out the violent act against Adele.

Following his plea, Magistrate Sonuga ordered that he be remanded in prison custody, pending further hearing of the case. The matter was adjourned for continuation of trial.