Man, 35, docked for pouring petrol on suspected thief

ABEOKUTA—A 35-year-old man, Jamiu Animashaun, was yesterday arraigned before an Abeokuta magistrate’s court in Isabo, for allegedly pouring petrol on one Philemon Tule and attempting to set him ablaze. The Investigating Police Officer in charge of the case, Moronfolu Olumide, told the court that the accused and others at large beat Tule and poured petrol on him before a passer-by rescued him. She said the offence was committed, Wednesday, at Lagos Road, Lafenwa, Abeokuta. According to her, the accused claimed that the claimant stole his wife’s phone, Monday, and ran away but came back to the area, Wednesday, and was caught and beaten. She said: “They tagged him kidnapper which attracted the accused and others at large to catch him and started beating with planks and then poured petrol on him before he was rescued. The prosecutor, Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the accused attempted to set the man ablaze by pouring petrol on him. He added that the offence is contrary to sections 351 and 516 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1 of the revised Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006. The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge against him. Magistrate Emmanuel Adekunte granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two surety in like sum. The case was adjourned till May 30, 2014.