Eyinatayo Iluyomade, a 19-year-old comedian from Lagos, was remanded in custody for playing pranks by making a robbery threat at the counter of First Bank in the town of Ondo, Ondo state.
According to a report by Within Nigeria, it was revealed that Iluyomade was tried by police on three counts bordering on conspiracy, threats and manner that likely constitutes a security threat.
Police prosecutor Akao Moremi told the court that the defendant left a note at the bank stating that by 1:00 p.m. that same day, members of his armed robbery gang would come to rob the bank.
Moremi said the note posed a security threat to First Bank’s Sabo branch in the city of Ondo and had also caused all banks operating in Ondo to be closed all day.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
But defense counsel, Hawkins Akinnugba, requested the defendant’s release on extremely generous terms.
However, the request for bail was denied by the police prosecutor’s office on the grounds that the defendant was reluctant to investigate the matter as there were other criminal elements behind the threat.
Trial judge Mosunmola Ikujuni denied the bail request because other members of the criminal gang were arrested.
Ikujuni said: “If the prosecution still has to arrest all other criminals involved in the matter by the next adjournment date, the court will do what is necessary.
She therefore adjourned the case to rule on the bail request.
However, the accused told the court that he was a comedian and that the note he dropped at First Bank was a prank, adding that he did so in Lagos until moving to the town of Ondo.
According to him, “This is the first time I pull the prank in Ondo.
He said: “There is no other gang that wanted to rob the bank as it was written in the note
Iluyomade therefore asked the court to forgive him and promised not to play such a prank again.
