The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, September 5, 2019, arraigned 83 persons who allegedly participated in the attack and looting of South African-owned mall, Shoprite, in protest against continued killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
The defendants were arraigned before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court at Yaba on six counts bordering on conspiracy, riotous assembly, arson, stealing, malicious damage, unlawful destruction of property and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
Angry Nigerians respond to reports of xenophobic killings of Nigerians in South Africa by attacking a Shoprite shop in Lagos on September 3, 2019
The police told the court that the defendants attacked the Shoprite Malls at Surulere and Sangotedo-Ajah and allegedly stole and damaged properties estimated at N500 million.
The prosecution said they committed the offences on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, in contravention of sections 50, 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and were liable to be punished under sections 339 (1) (2), 168 (d) and 411 of the same Act.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.
P.A. Ojo, Tte magistrate, admitted each of the 83 defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate said the sureties must be the defendants’ parents or a paternal family member.
The case was adjourned till October 9, 2019
A family flees ongoing xenophobic attacks in Ramaphosa squatter camp east of Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 May 2008. (Photo Credit: John Hrusa)
South African looters take items from an alleged foreign-owned shops during a riot in the Johannesburg suburb of Turffontein. | AFP
A group of men gather in front of a police station in Johannesburg’s CBD as the unrest continues. | Guillem Sartorio/AFP/Getty Images
File: Aftermath of a wave of xenophobic attacks in Jeppestown, Gauteng | Vision Tactical/Twitter
Looters run off an alleged foreign-owned shop in Turffontein in Johannesburg on Monday. | Guillem Sartorio/AFP/Getty Images
File Photo: Scene from a xenophobic mob killing in South Africa
File photo of Xenophobic Attack in South Africa
An anti-xenophobia activist stands chained in front of a banner, as thousands of people get ready to march against the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa on April 23, 2015. | Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images
After being stalked down a street, taunted and hit with a wrench, Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole was cornered by his attackers, stabbed in the heart and left to die on a rubbish-strewn Alexandra street early yesterday morning. The Sunday Times rushed him to Edenvale Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Police clear the streets in an attempt to quell rioting and looting in Durban (Photo Credit: Rogan Ward/Reuters)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole tried to fend off his attackers in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Xenophobia attacks continue and spread to Johannesburg | Buzz South Africa
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole after being attacked by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole tried to fend off his attackers in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole surrounded by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Nhamuave after police doused the flames consuming his body. Sixty-two people died during the wave of xenophobic attacks in 2008, an orgy of violence directed at foreigners. (Photo Credit: Halden Krog)