Court grants Inyanya N20m bail over alleged car theft

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Thursday granted N20million bail to Iyanya Mbuk, a musician, popularly known as Iyanya, over alleged car theft.
The trial judge Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile warned him to perfect his bail conditions within seven days, “otherwise the bail shall be revoked”.
The judge ordered Iyanya to produce a surety in like sum, who should also have landed property in Lagos with a Certificate of Occupancy.
“I have perused the affidavit and the counter-affidavit of the parties; there is a prima facie case of criminal conversion against him.
“However, there is nothing to show that the defendant will interfere with the proceedings of this case and nothing to show that he will jump bail if granted bail.
“Bail is therefore granted to the defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum”, the judge stated.
The judge adjourned till May 27 and 28 for trial adding that the musician had a case to answer.
The police filed the one-count charge marked LD/9024c/2019, against the singer on March 15, 2019.
Iyanya failed to appear in court for arraignment, despite allegedly being served with the charge and hearing notice, following which the arraignment was adjourned six times.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile threatened to invoke the powers of the court to ensure Iyanya’s attendance to take his plea.
The ‘Kukere’ crooner appeared before the judge on February 4, 2020, following which the charge was read to him.
Prosecution counsel, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), alleged that Iyanya committed the offence sometime in September 2018.
The court heard that the defendant dishonestly converted to his use or of another person, a Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked MAVINIY, with Chassis and Engine numbers JTEBX7FJ7EK165480 and 2TR1385954.
Agwu told the court that the said vehicle belonged to ‘The Temple Management Company Ltd, represented by a lawyer, Ayodeji Olomojobi.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, was contrary to Sections 278(1) (b), 279(1)(2) and punishable under Section 285(10) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Iyanya pleaded not guilty.
Agwu prayed the court to remand the defendant in the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) custody, pending the the hearing and determination of his bail application.
But Iyanya’s counsel opposed him.
He prayed the court to release the musician to him and undertook to produce him in court on yesterday.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile granted the defence counsel’s prayer and released him to his counsel.