Author arrested for taking picture of policemen making arrests

The Police, yesterday, arraigned an author, Abraham Oshoko, before a Lagos Magistrate’s court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly taking photographs of some police officers while arresting commercial motorcycle operators, known as Okada riders, at a round about in Dopemu area of Lagos.

Oshoko, 33, was arraigned before Magistrate E. A. Fabamwo on a two-count charge of “provoking breach of the peace and unlawful act by trying to tarnish the image of the Police and LASTMA by taking photographs of them while performing their lawful duties.”

When the charges were read to him, Oshoko pleaded not guilty.

The Police Prosecutor, Barth Nwaokenye, told the court that Oshoko committed the offence on August 31, 2013, at Dopemu round about, Agege, Lagos.

He said that the suspect, “who is an author for children’s literature books, on the aforementioned date, time and place, without being lawfully authorised to do that, took pictures of Police officers and LASTMA officers while they were performing their duties.”

According to Nwaokenye, the defendant’s intention was to tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and LASMA through pictorial representation of these organizations.

The prosecutor added that the offences were contrary to and punishable under section 57 (4) and 166 (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

While asking for his bail, the defendant’s lawyer told the court that the offence was bailable in law and that the only reason for taking the pictures by his client was for a graphic representation in one of his books as an author and had no ulterior motive.

Magistrate Fabamwo granted him bail in the sum of N25, 000.00 with two sureties in like sum.
She subsequently adjourned the case to October 16, 2013 for hearing.

Vanguard