A 29-year-old female lawyer, Ms. Peace Chidinma Igbo, is facing legal trouble after she failed to present a suspect for whom she stood bail. She was arraigned before the Ebutte-Metta Magistrate’s Court on charges of obstructing the course of justice.
According to the charge sheet, Ms. Igbo stood surety for one Sodiq Kazem, who is wanted by the Nigeria Police Force CID Annex, Alagbon, in connection with allegations of conspiracy, burglary, unlawful entry, stealing, and providing false information. The bail sum was set at One Million Naira (₦1,000,000).
The charge reads:
“That you, Peace Chidinma Igbo ‘F’, on the 25th day of November 2024 at the Nigeria Police Force CID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, did conspire to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of justice by failing to provide one Sodiq Kazem, whom you stood bail for, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
During proceedings, the complainant’sLagos lawyer risks jail time for failing to produce suspect in court
counsel, Mr. Olu Akanbi, criticized Ms. Igbo’s actions, stating she should have exercised better judgment as a legal practitioner. He accused her of shielding other suspects in the case, noting that both Ms. Igbo and Mr. Kazem are employees of Green Birch Tech Limited and are believed to be acting in concert with other individuals who are currently at large.
Mr. Akanbi further alleged that some of the suspects are leveraging the influence of retired and serving senior police officers to hinder the ongoing investigation by the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at Alagbon Annex. He praised the FCID officers for their professionalism and persistence in the matter.
The court has adjourned the case to May 20, 2025, as Ms. Igbo’s legal fate remains uncertain.