Police Charges Iyanya to Court for Alleged Car Theft

Nigerian singer Iyanya has been charged to court by the Nigerian Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos. He was alleged to have stolen a car.

The Kukereme master on February 4, was arraigned before Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of an Igbosere High Court, Lagos.

It is gathered that the police filed the one-count charge marked LD/9024c/2019, against the singer on March 15, 2019.

Iyanya was said to have, “dishonestly converted to his personal use or use of another person a black Toyota Landcruiser Prado Jeep with Chassis Number: JTEBX7FJ7EK165480, Engine Number: 2TRI385954 and Registration Number: MAVINIY, a property of The Temple Management Company Limited, represented by one Ayodeji Olomojobi, Esq.”

In the charge sheet signed by Mr. Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), alleged that Iyanya committed the offence sometime in September 2018 in Lagos State.

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

The offence, according to the police, was contrary to sections 278(1)(b), and 279(1)(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and punishable under Section 285(10) of the same law.

Iyanya’s refusal to appear before the court

Although, at the time the charge was filed in 2019, the musician failed to appear in court.

His failure to appear before the court despite allegedly being served with the charge and hearing notice led to the case being adjourned six times.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, at the last adjournment, threatened to invoke the power of the court to ensure Iyanya’s attendance to take his plea and the award-winning singer finally appeared before the judge on February 4, 2020, following which the charge was read to him.

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

However, Iyanya’s counsel, Mr Williams A., opposed him and requested the entertainer be released to him and undertook to produce him in court on the next adjournment.

Iyanya was released to his counsel while Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile adjourned the case till February 27  for ruling on Iyanya’s bail application and commencement of trial.