A driver and his conductor,  who allegedly sprayed a passerby with petrol and set him ablaze,  were on Tuesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The defendants, Abiodun Olatunji, 28, and Taiye Musa, 31, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Oct. 31, 2018, at about 9:30a.m at Ilubinrin Bridge in Obalende, Lagos Island.

Ekundayo said the defendants were arrested by an official of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) for allegedly obstructing traffic.

He said the defendants who were upset by the  arrest called five other colleagues who allegedly attacked anyone at the scene of the arrest.

Ekundayo  said that during the attack, the defendants and others at large allegedly poured petrol on one Wasiu Etti and set him ablaze.

He said that Etti was rescued by  LASTMA officials following reinforcement although he  sustained serious injury.

Ekundayo said the two defendants were arrested while others fled.

He said the offences contravened Sections 231and 413 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The sections stipulate seven years imprisonment and two years imprisonment respectively for offenders.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. M. Olumide-Fusika,  granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

Olumide-Fusika adjourned the case till May 20 for further hearing.

-NAN

BE

– Mar. 19, 2019 @ 16:30 GMT /