Court Orders Arrest of Army General Abdul Rauf Tijjani Over Alleged Murder, Robbery
A Lagos High Court has ordered an immediate arrest of an Army General Abdul Rauf Tijjani Over Alleged Murder, Robbery.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja ordered the State Attorney General to ensure the urgent arrest of the retired Army General over allegations of robbery and attempted murder.
The order was sequel to his refusal to appear for his trial in an attempted murder case before the court having revoked his bail.
At today’s proceedings, only the second defendant, Akanni Suada
was present in court after several adjournment at the instance of absence of first defendant, Abdul Rauf Tijjani.
The state Counsel led by, Mr. N. Adewoye told court that they are still making effort to get General Abdul Rauf Tijjani arrested.
“We are still making effort to execute the bench warrant. We pray for more time.”
The development made the judge frown at the way the state is handling the case.
Justice Oshodi noted that Abdul Rauf Tijjani cannot be taking the court for granted. ” This gentleman is not a spirit. What is stopping you from bringing him to court? You don’t let this man make nuisance of the court. The second defendant hThe bail granted him has been revoke. He is not greater than the court.”
The 67-year-old man (Tijani) is also a recipient of national award of Order of Federal Republic (OFR). He was charged alongside Akanni Suada for alleged attempt to kill one Maria Febisola by shooting her with a gun.
The Lagos state government had filed a five-count charge against them before Justice Oshodi and they were subsequently arraigned.
Their offence border on conspiracy, attempted murder, robbery, assault occasioning harm and killing of an unborn child. Their offence run contrary to Section 231, 228, 295, 171 and 234 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The state alleged that the duo while armed with a rifle, robbed Febisola of the sum of N2.5 million, a hand bag containing some cash and jewelry worth N3 million.
Also, Abdul Rauf Tijjani was alleged to have unlawfully killed an unborn child by causing rupture of the foetus in the womb of one Abidemi Ahmed.
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Part of the charge reads: “That Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tijjani, Akanni Suada on October 11, 2013 at about 9:20p.m at No. 117 Akowonjo Road, Lagos, attempted to kill one Maria Febisola by shooting her with a gun.”
However, following their plea of not guilty, the defendants were granted bail but Abdul Rauf Tijjani jumped bail. He had since been absent for trial, while the co-defendant always appeared in court.
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The trial had suffered various adjournments at the instance of first defendant.The judge therefore revoked the bail and ordered the first defendant, (Tijjani) to appear for trial.
Tijjani is also having two other criminal matters before the court
Justice Oshodi therefore ordered that the first defendant be arrested and subsequently adjourned trial to March 22, 2021.
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