Xenophobia: Police Arraigns 83 Suspected Shoprite Looters

The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday 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.

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 N500m.

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.

The magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, 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 until October 9, 2019, for further hearing.

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