A Lagos State Polytechnic Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of Ganiyu Oyedepo, widely known as Koko Zaria, a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for allegedly assaulting Nollywood actor Alhaji Ade Adele, also known as Baba Lawori. The incident occurred on June 5, 2024, at Idimu, Lagos, where Oyedepo and his associates allegedly attacked Adele, injuring him with a bottle.
Oyedepo was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate B. Sonuga remanded Oyedepo in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun, from the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), informed the court that the defendant’s actions violated sections 411, 173, and 168 of the Lagos State Criminal Law. The charges read, “That you Ganiyu Oyedepo on or about the June 25, 2024 at Idimu, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, Lagos conspired to commit Felony wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and committed an Offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State
“That you Oyedepo on the said date unlawfully procured one of your boys (now at large) who unlawfully broke bottle and inflicted injuries on the head of one Alhaji Ade Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 173 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“That you Oyedepo conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace when you threatened and procured one of your boys (now at large) to break bottle on the head of Adele and committed an Offence contrary to Section 168 (l)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under Section 168 (2) of thé same Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos state 2015.”
However, Oyedepo denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal team, led by S. Bello and S. O. Ajetomobi, applied for bail, arguing that the charges against their client were bailable. They urged the court to grant bail on the most lenient terms possible.
After considering the submissions, Chief Magistrate Sonuga granted Oyedepo bail set at N2 million, with two sureties in like sums. The sureties, as stipulated by the Chief Magistrate, must have good character, provide proof of employment, and reside within the court’s jurisdiction. Additionally, the sureties were required to present evidence of three years’ tax payments and have their addresses verified.
Chief Magistrate Sonuga adjourned the case to October 29 for mention and ordered Oyedepo’s remand in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) until the bail conditions were met.
The Case of the NURTW Leader and the Actor
The case of Ganiyu Oyedepo, also known as Koko Zaria, and the Nollywood actor, Alhaji Ade Adele, aka Lawori, has been making headlines in Nigeria for weeks. The allegations against Oyedepo, a prominent leader in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), have sparked outrage and calls for justice. The incident happened on June 5, 2024, at Idimu, Lagos, where Oyedepo and his associates allegedly attacked Adele, injuring him with a bottle. Lawori, who is a veteran Yoruba actor, had cried out for help on social media following the alleged attack by the Lagos State NURTW boss, Koko Zaria.
The Actor's Plea
The actor made the call in a now-viral video on his Instagram page in July. Narrating the ordeal, he said that the incident happened on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the 2024 Idimu Day event. Adele was allegedly attacked by Oyedepo and his colleagues on June 5, 2024, in Idimu, Lagos, and sustained injuries with a bottle following a fracas. According to court papers shared online, one of Oyedepo’s boys attacked Adele by hitting him with a bottle and stabbing him with the shards.
The report stated that Oyedepo was charged with four counts: assault causing injury, conspiracy to commit a felony by recruiting others to harm someone, and a willful breach of peace. Oyedepo’s boys, injured Adele in the head with a bottle.
The Aftermath
After the reports about his arrest went viral, Oyedepo took to his social media handle to share a video of himself dancing with one of his daughters. In another video, some artisans were heard hailing and praying for the NURTW chieftain while noting that his enemies would only try but would never be able to catch him. However, according to reports reaching GistLover from an unnamed source that Oyedepo is currently outside Nigeria, having fled to the United States shortly before the court’s decision to jail him. The source mentioned that Oyedepo is now being targeted because he is no longer working for MC Oluomo.
The case of Oyedepo and Adele is a reminder of the ongoing issues of violence and lawlessness in Nigeria, particularly in the transport sector. The NURTW has long been associated with criminal activities, and the arrest of Oyedepo has raised concerns about the lack of accountability within the organization. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Nigerian justice system handles the allegations against Oyedepo and whether the NURTW will take steps to address the issues of violence and corruption within its ranks.
Conclusion: Justice for Lawori
The case of Koko Zaria and Lawori serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of individuals in the face of power and influence. Lawori's courage in speaking out against the assault has set a precedent for others who may be facing similar situations, and it is hoped that justice will be served in this case. The trial of Oyedepo should be a benchmark for accountability in the Nigerian justice system, where individuals are not shielded from the law due to their position or connections. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the fight against impunity in the country. It will also be interesting to see if the NURTW takes any steps to address the issues of violence and corruption within its ranks, as this case has brought to light the need for reforms within the organization. This case underscores the need for transparency and accountability in Nigerian law enforcement, and it is hoped that the Nigerian justice system will deliver a fair verdict in this case.
